Review and approval of the sufficiency as to form of an initiative petition submitted by Damien Johnson to amend Article VIII of the Missouri Constitution (2018-109).

CHRIS KOSTER ATTORNEY GENERAL ATTORNEY GENERAL O F M I SSOURI JEFFERSON C I TY 6510 2 January 3, 2017 P.O.Box899 (573) 751·3321 OPINION LETTER NO. 18-2017 The Honorable Jason Kander Missouri Secretary of State James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center 600 West Main Street Jefferson City, MO 65101 Dear Secretary Kander: This opinion letter responds to your request dated December 21, 2016, for our review under § 116.332, RSMo, of the sufficiency as to form of an initiative petition to amend Article VIII of the Missouri Constitution submitted by Damien Johnson (2018-109). We approve the petition as to form, but§ 116.332 gives the Secretary of State final authority to approve or reject the petition. Therefore, our approval of the form of the petition does not preclude you from rejecting the petition. Although we do not suggest it is a basis for rejection, we note that this initiative petition uses the name of Jay Ashcroft on the signature sheet. John (Jay) Ashcroft does not take office until January 9, 2017. Because our review of the petition is simply for the purpose of determining sufficiency as to form, the fact that we do not reject the petition is not to be construed as a determination that the petition is sufficient as to substance. Likewise, because our review is mandated by statute, no action OP-2016·0312 www.ago.mo.gov The Honorable Jason Kander Page 2 that we take with respect to such review should be construed as an endorsement of the petition or of the objectives of its proponents, or the expression of any view respecting the adequacy or inadequacy of the petition generally. et_:uzt: ... -- CHRIS KOSTER Attorney General OP-2016-0312