What does it mean to live in a “democracy” if the voters speak and the politicians in power overturn your vote and your voice? When your officials disregard the rule of law and you have no way to hold them accountable?

The Jewish community knows what happens when democracy is suspended. When freedom is thrown out the window, everybody is going to suffer. We know. This has happened to us before. When our freedom is under threat, staying silent is not an option. 

This is the reality we face today in Missouri, one of only 11 states with no law prohibiting the legislature from overturning the will of the people on ballot measures. It is easy to feel exhausted when your votes for justice continue to be overturned, whether on access to lifesaving health care, providing living wages or the very essence of our democracy. 

Fortunately, the Respect MO Voters coalition is stepping up with a constitutional amendment ballot initiative to ban Missouri politicians from attacking the will of the people, with endorsements from every diverse part of our state including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Metropolitan Congregations United, the National Organization for Women, the Missouri NAACP, Veterans for All Voters, Show Me Integrity, former Rep. Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, former Sen. Bob Johnson, R-Lee’s Summit, and more. 

Together, this grassroots, volunteer-led, cross-partisan coalition is working to pass a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot that will prevent Missouri politicians from:

• Overturning initiatives that voters have already passed. 

• Attacking citizens’ ability to use the initiative process. 

• Deceiving voters with confusing ballot language.

We will achieve this by organizing volunteers across the state to gather the necessary signatures and pass the amendment, and we hope you’ll join us.

For over a century, Missourians across the political spectrum have used the citizen initiative process to take issues directly to voters, proposing and passing laws. When politicians refuse to listen to their constituents and act, this tool gives the people the power to make change ourselves.

But for decades, the Missouri Legislature has made it clear that they don’t care about our voices. In 2010, voters banned inhumane puppy mills, but legislators overturned it. In 2018, voters approved Clean Missouri’s anti-corruption reforms, and officials gutted them. Again and again, Missourians speak up through the rights and processes available to them, but politicians work to silence those votes.

Unfortunately, this pattern is projected to only get worse. The Missouri Legislature recently passed a law that further undermines the citizen initiative process by making it even easier for politicians to use misleading language on the ballot to trick voters. But this trend isn’t inevitable. Together, we can stop it.

This amendment is our last chance to protect the freedom that lets people, not just politicians, shape Missouri’s future. No political party, whether Democratic or Republican, should be allowed to silence the voices of voters. Democracy is not a privilege reserved for the party in power; it’s a sacred freedom that belongs to all of us. 

If anyone knows the importance of democracy, it’s the Jewish people. Our history and laws teach us that every person matters and that justice must never be subverted to serve those in power. 

One of Judaism’s most central stories is the covenant at Mount Sinai, a sacred partnership between God and the people of Israel. This agreement was not just a command from above; it was a pact. The people vowed to uphold justice and righteousness and, in return, leadership fulfilled its promises. It established a social contract rooted in mutual responsibility, where power is held jointly by both leader and community and must be exercised justly by both.

Our ancient covenant was an early model for the “consent of the governed” at the heart of American democracy. Our government must remain accountable to the people and foster a system where every voice matters. Otherwise, the foundation of our democracy and our freedom is at risk. That’s precisely why the fight to pass the Respect MO Voters constitutional amendment is so crucial.

To honor our covenant, including its call to pursue justice, we ask you to help us launch our campaign by recruiting 2,500 volunteers and raising $300,000 by June 30. These funds are critical to cover polling, legal fees, printing and signature-gathering expenses; without them, we simply won’t be able to get this effort off the ground.

We hope you’ll join us. Together, we can ensure that voters are in charge of Missouri’s future, leaving a better democracy with greater freedom for our children and our grandchildren.

Learn more, volunteer or donate at RespectMOVoters.org.

Rabbi Susan Talve (at far left) is the founder of the Ashrei Foundation and the rabbi emerita for Central Reform Congregation. 

Benjamin D. Singer is the CEO of Show Me Integrity, and a committee member within Jewish Federation of St. Louis and Kol Rinah Congregation.