Secretary of State News

Carnahan Announces Program on Western Sharpshooters

Thu, 10 May 2012 15:54:00 GMT

Jefferson City, MO - Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced a program on the Western Sharpshooters Regiment. The program will be held at the Missouri State Archives, a division of her office, on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. Military scholar Commander James Sullivan, U.S. Navy, will be speaking about the regiment's development and role in the Civil War.

Created as an elite unit of scouts and marksmen, the Western Sharpshooters Regiment was beset by trouble at its inception but persevered to become one of the great units in the Federal Army. Mustered in St. Louis, volunteers from all the states of the Midwest had to pass an exacting marksmanship test to be allowed to enlist in the "crack regiment of the West." Beginning the war with romantic misconceptions, the men of the unit were faced with harsh reality, fighting in many of the key battles in the Western Theater.

Acting as scouts and shock infantry, the Western Sharpshooters led Grant and Sherman's armies through Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia and the Carolinas on a 3,000-mile march to victory. Commander Sullivan will discuss the Sharpshooters' evolution from "uniformed civilians" into elite veterans and the unit's vital role in the Battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Resaca and Atlanta.

The Missouri State Archives is the official repository for state documents of permanent historic value and is located at 600 West Main Street in Jefferson City. All programs at the Archives are free of charge and open to the public, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information on this and other programming at the Archives, contact Emily Luker at (573) 526-5296 or emily.luker@sos.mo.gov.

Secretary of State's Office Receives Signatures for Four Petitions by Deadline

Sun, 6 May 2012 22:42:00 GMT

Jefferson City, MO - Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced signatures were submitted for four petitions by the 5:00 p.m. deadline on Sunday, May 6, 2012.

These petitions will now be organized and reviewed by the secretary of state's office and then sent on to the local election authorities in counties and cities across the state so signatures can be verified against their voter registration records. Petitions that meet the legal criteria will be certified as sufficient by 5:00 p.m. on August 7, 2012.

Signatures for the following petitions were submitted for verification:

Statutory Amendment to RSMo Chapters 84, 86 and 105, Relating to Municipal Police Force: http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2012petitions/12init_pet.asp#2012088
A Statutory Amendment to RSMo Chapters 149 and 196, Relating to Cigarette and Other Tobacco Product: http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2012petitions/12init_pet.asp#2012134
A Statutory Amendment to RSMo Chapters 367 and 408, Relating to Payday, Title, Installment, and Consumer Credit Loans: http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2012petitions/12init_pet.asp#2012066
Statutory Amendment to RSMo Chapter 290, Relating to Minimum Wage: http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2012petitions/12init_pet.asp#2012084

For a petition seeking to change Missouri statute, valid signatures from registered voters equal to five (5) percent of the total votes cast in the 2008 governor's election from six of the state's nine congressional districts must be submitted. Depending on the combination of districts, the number of signatures required ranges between approximately 91,818 and 99,600 valid signatures.

For a petition seeking to change the Missouri Constitution, valid signatures from registered voters equal to eight (8) percent of the total votes cast in the 2008 governor's election from six of the state's nine congressional districts must be submitted. Depending on the combination of districts, the number of signatures required ranges between approximately 146,907 and 159,359 valid signatures for each petition.

There were 143 petitions submitted to be approved for signature gathering for this election cycle, which is a record number.

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Visit www.sos.mo.gov to learn more about the Missouri Secretary of State's Office.

Carnahan Announces Partnership between Missouri State Archives and Truman State

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:42:00 GMT

Kirksville, MO - Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and the President of Truman State University, Dr. Troy Paino, today announced the creation of the Northeast Missouri Records Preservation Program. This program is a unique partnership between the Missouri State Archives and Truman State University designed to better preserve and provide greater public access to historic county records from Northeast Missouri.

This endeavor brings together, in a training setting, university students and archivists from the Local Records Program. Participating students gain a basic understanding of archival theory and practice through readings and hands-on records processing-cleaning, repairing, arranging and indexing-of 19th century local government records.

"This program is a perfect example of our public universities and government agencies working together to provide both a quality educational experience and quality public service," said Secretary Carnahan. "This partnership will ultimately benefit students, local government agencies and historians alike, and everyone is enthusiastic about what we can accomplish together."

To ensure the safekeeping of these records, Interns work with professional archivists in a secure on campus facility. The application process is competitive and students may receive academic credit, fulfill work study or scholarship requirements in exchange for their participation.

The initial project involves records from the Shelby County circuit court. Common issues encountered in these materials include property rights, commerce, slavery and debt, among many other social and cultural themes including the impact of and reaction to the Civil War. As students complete their work, the records will be transported to the Missouri State Archives for preservation imaging. Copies of microfilm and electronic databases will be available in Shelby County, Truman State University and the Missouri State Archives, as well as online.

For further information, contact the Missouri State Archives' Local Records Program at (573) 751-9047 or local.records@sos.mo.gov.

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Carnahan Announces Program Featuring Holocaust Survivor

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:26:00 GMT

Jefferson City, MO - Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced a program in recognition of National Holocaust Remembrance Day. The program will be held at the Missouri State Archives, a division of her office, on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. Holocaust survivor George Spooner will share his account of Kristallnacht and explain its consequences.

Spooner, a native of Austria, was an eyewitness to Kristallnacht, or Night of Broken Glass, on November 10, 1938. Over the span of a few hours, thousands of synagogues and Jewish businesses and homes were damaged or destroyed. Kristallnacht was a pivotal moment in Holocaust history, when 38,000 Jewish men were arrested in Germany and Austria and sent to concentration camps. Because of this event, German and Austrian Jews realized that it was time to get out of their respective countries if they were going to remain alive.

Spooner's parents put him on a Kindertransport out of Austria to England where he lived with an English family. His mother and father also fled to England where both found work as domestics. All three lived in different homes in England before escaping by boat under the darkness of night to the United States before the war ended.

For more information on this and other programming at the Archives, contact Emily Luker at (573) 526-5296 or emily.luker@sos.mo.gov.

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To find out more about Missouri's Secretary of State's office, visit www.sos.mo.gov

Carnahan Encourages Missourians to Celebrate National Library Week

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:30:00 GMT

Jefferson City, MO - Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today encouraged Missourians to visit their library during the week of April 8 -14, to celebrate National Library Week. Thousands of Missourians visit public libraries each day. Almost all Missouri libraries offer free internet access, and many provide specific job-training classes.

Today’s libraries help level the playing field by making both print and digital information affordable, available and accessible to all people.� Libraries provide cultural heritage and genealogical collections, materials in print and electronic formats, job-seeking resources, English as second language resources, citizenship classes and many other creative and resourceful programs.

"Missourians are blessed to have a strong network of public libraries throughout the state, which provide not only books, but also new opportunities,” Carnahan said. “Services and programs offered by local libraries help Missourians spend time with their families, learn new skills and even search for jobs."

The State Library, a division of Carnahan’s office, supports libraries across Missouri with grants to purchase or update technology. This fiscal year, the Missouri State Library has approved a total of 59 grant applications that have distributed $438,255 in awards to libraries, with more grants to be distributed throughout the year. Project types receiving grants will include summer reading programs, technology-related support purchases and upgrades, literacy services development, digital imaging projects to preserve our cultural heritage and public library website development.

Check with your local library for news and events celebrating National Library Week.

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To find out more about Missouri's Secretary of State's office, visit www.sos.mo.gov

Carnahan Announces Settlement with Internet Company LendingClub

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:15:00 GMT

Jefferson City, MO - Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced a settlement with LendingClub Corporation, of San Francisco, Calif., concerning the company's failure to lawfully register its securities with the Missouri Securities Division.

According to the order, LendingClub is an Internet-based social lending platform that sells "Member Payment Dependent Notes" to investors to fund loans. The consent order requires LendingClub to offer to repurchase more than $461,000 worth of notes that were sold to at least 175 Missouri investors. LendingClub agreed to provide this relief because it continued to offer and sell securities to Missouri investors for more than one year after its registration had expired.

"Online investing is on the rise, and Missourians should be cautious before getting involved with an investment they are not familiar with," Carnahan said. "Companies who are offering investments online have to play by the rules, and investors should do their homework to make sure an investment is legitimate before turning over their savings."

The order alleges that LendingClub sold at least 9,000 unregistered, nonexempt securities totaling over $461,000 to at least 175 Missouri investors.

LendingClub is required to offer to repurchase the Missouri investors' securities plus 8% interest per year from the date of the purchase. LendingClub is required to make this rescission offer to each Missouri investor who invested after October 10, 2010. LendingClub must also pay $100,000 to the Missouri Investor Education and Protection Fund and $5,000 for the costs of the Securities Division's investigation.

For more information regarding investments and fraud protection, or for information regarding a company or representative, visit the secretary of state's online Investor Protection Center at www.MissouriInvestorProtection.gov or call the toll-free Investor Protection Hotline at 800-721-7996.

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To find out more about Missouri's Secretary of State's office, visit www.sos.mo.gov

Carnahan Seeks Volunteers to Help Provide Access to 1940 Census Records

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:27:00 GMT

Jefferson City, Mo - Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced today the Missouri State Archives will work in conjunction with Family Search, the St. Louis Genealogical Society, the Missouri State Genealogical Association and smaller societies across the state to create an index for the Missouri records contained within the 1940 U.S. Census released on April 2, 2012.

Volunteers interested in assisting with indexing the census are encouraged to register online at http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/census1940_a.asp. Their efforts will help make Missouri's 1940 census records searchable for family history buffs and genealogists around the world.

"The index created by this project will allow Missourians and family history researchers around the globe to easily search for every person found in the census and view digital images of the original census pages free of charge," said Carnahan. "It is truly a treasure trove for those trying to learn more about their family history."

The genealogical data contained in these records serves as precious clues into the past of many Missouri families. Census takers carefully documented each individual's name, location, relationship, race, gender, marital status, education, occupation, income, nativity and citizenship. United States censuses are released 72 years after the "census date" by the National Archives and are made up of information collected by the United States Census Bureau.

The 1940 census also recorded individuals who took part in "Public Emergency Work" programs such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA), the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the National Youth Administration (NYA). Personnel records for those individuals in public service are held at the National Personnel Record Center in St. Louis.

1940 Census Facts:

With 3,784,664 people, Missouri was the 10th largest state in 1940.
Officials agreed to add new questions on migration, income, fertility, education, social security, usual occupation and unemployment.
Missouri's population growth dropped to 4.3 percent between 1930 and 1940, compared to the 6.6 percent growth during the previous decade. Although St. Louis County grew by 30 percent and Columbia grew by 23 percent, the City of St. Louis experienced a slight decline (0.7 percent) and Kansas City grew by only 0.1 percent.
Internal migration redistributed nine Congressional House seats. Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, California, New Mexico, Arizona and Oregon all gained seats. Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Indiana each lost one seat.
The population center of the United States in 1940 was Sullivan County, Ind. Each decade the population center shifts further south and west. In 1980, it was located in Jefferson County, Mo., near De Soto. The population center for the most recent census, 2010, is in Texas County, near Plato, Mo.

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To find out more about Missouri's Secretary of State's office, visit www.sos.mo.gov

Carnahan Praises Task Force Settlement with Bankers Life

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 20:27:00 GMT

Jefferson City, MO - Mo Secretary of State Robin Carnahan issued the following statement regarding the recent $11 million settlement announced by the North American Securities Administrators Association and the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation's Office of Securities concerning Bankers Life and Casualty Company.

"I am pleased that my staff in the Missouri Securities Division was able to play a key role serving on the task force that reached this national settlement, and I applaud its work in reaching this important resolution. State securities regulators serve an important role as gatekeepers that allow into our markets only those firms, professionals and products which are fit and suitable. All who wish to participate in the securities industry must play by the rules that are designed to protect investors."

The multi-state investigation focused on arrangements under which insurance agents of Bankers Life, an insurance company not licensed to sell securities or offer investment advice, would become securities agents with a licensed broker-dealer. The investigation revealed that Bankers Life directed the operations, hiring, training, product selection and sales techniques of the broker-dealers it affiliated with, despite the lack of an appropriate license.

The national settlement requires Bankers Life to refrain from hiring, training or supervising any securities agents or investment adviser representatives during a three-year quiet period that expires in March 2015. In addition, Bankers Life is engaging an independent consultant to ensure compliance with quiet period requirements, and the company is paying more than $10 million to the states for costs, past fees and other fines and payments. UVest Financial Inc., a firm that Bankers Life affiliated with, is paying $750,000 to the states pursuant to a separate settlement for its role in the Bankers Life arrangement, and ProEquities, Inc., a Birmingham, Alabama-based broker, will pay $435,000 to the states under a similar settlement.

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To find out more about Missouri's Secretary of State's office, visit www.sos.mo.gov

Carnahan Statement on Court Ruling Striking Down Deceptive Ballot Language Written by Legislators

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:19:00 GMT

Jefferson City, MO - Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan released the following statement today in response to the Cole County Circuit Court decision remanding the ballot language for Senate Joint Resolution 2 passed in 2011 back to the legislature because it is "insufficient and unfair."

"The court decision finding that legislators wrote insufficient and unfair ballot language is a victory for voters' rights. I am pleased the judge saw through this deceptive attempt to trick Missourians into thinking this proposal is about passing a Voter Protection Act.

In reality, this proposal has the potential to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Missouri voters. The Missouri Constitution protects the fundamental right of eligible voters to have their voices heard. It defies common sense to weaken those rights. This debate has always been about ensuring fair elections, and elections cannot be fair if eligible voters are not allowed to make their voices heard on Election Day."

View a copy of the court decision here: http://bit.ly/HjUdZd

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Vist www.sos.mo.gov to learn more about the Missouri Secretary of State's Office.

Candidate Filing Closes for 2012 Election

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:27:00 GMT

Jefferson City, MO - Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced that 576 candidates have filed for state and federal offices for the 2012 election as the filing period ended yesterday, March 27, 2012, at 5:00 p.m.
Candidates running for the five statewide offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer and attorney general; one U.S. Senate seat; all eight of Missouri's U.S. House of Representatives' seats; 17 odd-numbered state Senate districts; various circuit judges; and 163 state House of Representative seats were required to file with the secretary of state's office. Any candidate filing for a county office filed with his/her local county clerk or election board.

Currently, there are 313 Republican candidates, 234 Democratic candidates, 22 Libertarian candidates and seven Constitution Party candidates filed for office. For more information regarding the candidates and offices, please click on the following link: http://1.usa.gov/GWRuLC.

Candidates who filed on the first day at the secretary of state's office drew a number to determine the order in which their name will appear on the primary ballot. Candidates who filed after the first day are placed on the ballot in the order they filed.

Candidates seeking to file for governor, state Senate in districts 5 and 7 or state representative in districts 49, 93 and 112 may still do so until 5 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2012. In accordance with Missouri state law, the filing dates for these offices have been extended because an individual withdrew his/her name as a candidate within two business days prior to the filing deadline.

Missouri's primary election is on Tuesday, August 7, 2012. The deadline for voter registration for the August primary is July 11, 2012. The general election is Tuesday, November 6, 2012, and the voter registration deadline for that election is October 10, 2012.

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Vist www.sos.mo.gov to learn more about the Missouri Secretary of State's Office.

Two Initiative Petitions Approved for Circulation for 2012 Ballot

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:45:00 GMT

Jefferson City, MO- The Missouri Secretary of State's office today announced that two initiative petitions met state standards for circulation.
The ballot title for the petition relating to local taxes on beverages reads:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to allow voters in cities and counties to set and control local taxes on beverages, except for water containing no flavor additives and pure fruit juice, within their city or county?
The proposal has no direct fiscal impact (change in costs, savings, or revenues) for state and local governmental entities.� Indirectly, the fiscal impact to state and local governmental entities resulting from any measures submitted to voters as allowed by this proposal is unknown.

The petition, which would amend Article X of the Constitution of the State of Missouri, was submitted by Mr. Jewell D.H. Patek of 331 Madison, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

The ballot title for the petition relating to local taxes on alcoholic beverages reads:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to allow voters in cities and counties to set and control local taxes on alcoholic beverages, except for any liquid sold solely for a medicinal purpose or pursuant to a prescription, within their city or county?

The proposal has no direct fiscal impact (change in costs, savings, or revenues) for state and local governmental entities.� Indirectly, the fiscal impact to state and local governmental entities resulting from any measures submitted to voters as allowed by this proposal is unknown.

The petition, which would amend Article X of the Constitution of the State of Missouri, was submitted by Mr. Jewell D.H. Patek of 331 Madison, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

Before any constitutional changes can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2012 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to eight (8) percent of the total votes cast in the 2008 governor's election from six of the state's nine congressional districts.

Signatures on behalf of all initiative petitions for the 2012 ballot are due to the Secretary of State's office by no later than 5 p.m. on May 6, 2012.

Before circulating petitions, state law requires that groups must first have the form of their petition approved by the Secretary of State and Attorney General. The Secretary of State then prepares a summary statement of no more than 100 words and the State Auditor prepares a fiscal impact statement, both of which are subject to the approval of the Attorney General. When both statements are approved, they become the official ballot title.

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To find out more about Missouri's Secretary of State's office, visit www.sos.mo.gov

Carnahan Takes Action Against Kansas Man With Long History of Securities Fraud

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:10:00 GMT

Jefferson City, MO- Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced an enforcement action against Danny Moore of Lenexa, Kan., and his company, Moore Financial Management, concerning misuse of investor funds from his supposed investment company.
According to the cease and desist order issued by officials in Carnahan’s Securities Division, Moore and his company raised over $1.4 million from at least 30 investors, 22 of whom were Missouri residents. Many of these investors were elderly friends and acquaintances of Moore.

In 2009, Moore was convicted of securities fraud in Johnson County, Kan. While on probation for that felony conviction, Moore allegedly raised money from investors, often using funds from new investors to repay earlier investors, in classic Ponzi-scheme fashion. In addition to the felony conviction for securities fraud, Moore was the subject of three enforcement orders from the Kansas Commissioner of Securities, none of which were disclosed to his new investors.

“It is important for investors to contact the Investor Protection Hotline before turning over their hard-earned money,” Carnahan said. “If the person offering an investment has been arrested or the subject of an enforcement action, that can all be discovered with one quick, toll-free call.”�

The order alleges that Moore provided investors with promissory notes in Moore Financial Management and told them their funds would be used for advertising or to take over other companies. Moore allegedly has a total of approximately $900,000 in outstanding promissory notes. Bank records uncovered by Securities Division investigators allegedly reveal the money collected from investors was used to pay Moore’s income taxes, mortgage payments, employee salaries, rent, insurance, warehouse club membership fees and other Moore investors.

The order states that Moore pitched a 79-year-old resident of Raytown, Mo., to invest in his scheme. Moore allegedly convinced the elderly man to surrender an annuity worth over $226,000, incurring over $13,000 in surrender charges, which would have funded his investment. Moore is charged with utilizing high pressure tactics in an attempt to persuade the elderly man.

The order alleges that Moore and Moore Financial Management offered and sold unregistered securities and committed securities fraud. Moore and his company face up to $180,000 in penalties and costs and the possibility of paying restitution to harmed investors. The Respondents have 30 days to request a hearing and contest this matter. The Securities Division is cooperating in this matter with other law enforcement and government agencies.
For more information regarding investments and fraud protection, visit the Secretary of State’s online Investor Protection Center at www.MissouriInvestorProtection.gov or call 1-800-721-7996.
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To find out more about Missouri's Secretary of State's office, visit www.sos.mo.gov

Carnahan Announces Program on Dred and Harriet Scott

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:50:00 GMT

Jefferson City, MO - Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan today announced a program exploring the untold story of Dred Scott's wife and daughters in recognition of National Women's History month. The program will be held at the Missouri State Archives, a division of her office, on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. Ruth Ann Hager will be speaking about her new book, Dred & Harriet Scott: Their Family Story.
Like many Missouri slaves, Dred and Harriet Scott, a St. Louis couple, each sued for freedom in 1846 based on the time they had lived as slaves in free territory. When their cases were appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court, attorneys combined the separate freedom suits into a single case under Dred's name, resulting in Harriet's role being largely lost to history. The well-known case of Dred Scott eventually made it to the U.S. Supreme Court, where, on March 6, 1857, Dred Scott and his family were denied their freedom and the country was pushed a step closer to the Civil War.

Ruth Ann Hager, a genealogist at the Special Collections Department of the St. Louis County Library, will reveal how the Scott family finally secured their freedom and what happened to Harriet and the couple's daughters, Eliza and Lizzie, after Dred's death in 1858.

The Missouri State Archives is the official repository for state documents of permanent historic value and is located at 600 West Main Street in Jefferson City. All programs at the Archives are free of charge and open to the public, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information on this and other programming at the Archives, contact Emily Luker at (573) 526-5296 or emily.luker@sos.mo.gov.

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Visit www.sos.mo.gov to learn more about the Missouri Secretary of State's Office.

Secretary of State's Office Receives Finalized State Senate District Maps

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Jefferson City, MO - Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan released the following statement after the State Senate Reapportionment Commission filed finalized district maps with her office:
“Today, the State Senate Reapportionment Commission filed finalized district maps with the Secretary of State's office.

This action provides more clarity to state Senate candidates who were waiting to file or intended to file in one of the Senate districts created after the 2000 census. All state Senate candidates have the option of withdrawing and re-filing in one of the districts approved by the reapportionment commission.

Any candidate who wishes to run for office in one of the finalized districts should make sure they come to the Missouri Secretary of State's office and file by 5:00 pm on March 27.”

It should also be noted that there are currently lawsuits pending challenging the congressional district maps, the state House of Representatives district maps and the state Senate district maps.

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To find out more about Missouri's Secretary of State's office, visit www.sos.mo.gov

Two Initiative Petitions Approved for Circulation for 2012 Ballot

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:45:00 GMT

Jefferson City, MO - The Missouri Secretary of State's office today announced that two initiative petitions met state standards for circulation.
The ballot title for the petition relating to teachers and certificated staff reads:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

deny any state or local funds for school districts that enter into contracts with teachers or certificated staff for longer than three years, or that use years of employment to retain, remove, promote, or demote teachers;

require local school districts to develop new salary and performance standards for teachers; and

require all teachers and certificated staff to serve as “at will” employees who may be dismissed or demoted without cause unless they enter into a contract that meets the above provisions or are covered by an existing contract with the school district?

Estimated costs for state and local governmental entities are unknown, but the initial and annual costs could be significant (millions of dollars) depending on decisions made at the state and local level to comply with required provisions in this proposal.

The petition, which would amend Article IX of the Constitution of the State of Missouri, was submitted by Mr. Marc H. Ellinger of 308 E. High St., Ste. 301, Jefferson City MO 65101.

The ballot title for the petition relating to limiting stem cell research reads:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to change the current ban on human cloning or attempted cloning to limit Missouri patients' access to stem cell research, therapies and cures approved by voters in November 2006 by redefining the ban on human cloning to criminalize and impose civil penalties for some existing research, therapies and cures?

This proposal could have a significant negative fiscal impact on state and local governmental entities by prohibiting certain research activities currently occurring in the state. The total costs to state and local governmental entities are unknown.

The petition, which would amend Article III of the Constitution of the State of Missouri, was submitted by Mr. Todd S. Jones, Missouri Roundtable for Life, 231 S. Bemiston. Ave., Ste. 800, St. Louis MO 63105.

Before any constitutional changes can be brought before Missouri voters in the November 2012 election, signatures must be obtained from registered voters equal to eight (8) percent of the total votes cast in the 2008 governor's election from six of the state's nine congressional districts.

Signatures on behalf of all initiative petitions for the 2012 ballot are due to the Secretary of State’s office by no later than 5 p.m. on May 6, 2012.
Before circulating petitions, state law requires that groups must first have the form of their petition approved by the Secretary of State and Attorney General. The Secretary of State then prepares a summary statement of no more than 100 words and the State Auditor prepares a fiscal impact statement, both of which are subject to the approval of the Attorney General. When both statements are approved, they become the official ballot title.
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To find out more about Missouri's Secretary of State's office, visit www.sos.mo.gov