Dotson v. Kander

464 S.W.3d 190, 2015 Mo. LEXIS 101, 2015 WL 4036160
Supreme Court of Missouri·Decided June 30, 2015·No. No. SC 94482·Published·Cited by 29 cases

Opinions

PER CURIAM

This case, raises the issue of whether a challenge to the sufficiency and fairness of a ballot title of a proposed measure may be [193] brought after the measure was adopted by voters. This Court holds that a post-election challenge to ballot titles can be brought under chapter 115.1 As the ballot title was sufficient and fair, there was no irregularity in the August 5, 2014, election.2

I. Factual Background

Samuel Dotson and Rebecca Morgan challenge the sufficiency and fairness of the ballot title for a proposal modifying the right to bear arms in article I, section 23 of the constitution. This is the second time these parties have come before this Court. For a detailed recitation of the underlying facts, see Dotson v. Kander, 435 S.W.3d 643 (Mo. banc 2014) (Dotson 1). In Dotson I, this Court dismissed the pre-election challenge to the sufficiency and fairness of the ballot title as it was moot under section 115.125.2, RSMo Supp. 2013. Id. at 645. This statute states that “[n]o court shall have the authority to order an individual or issue be placed on the ballot less than six weeks” before an election. The six-week date- had already passed before the trial court.resolved the merits. Dotson I noted that “judicial review of a claim that a given ballot title was unfair or insufficient (when not previously litigated and finally determined) is available in the context of an election contest should the proposal be adopted.” Id. at 645.

Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 36 (SJR 36) was approved by voters in the August 5, 2014, primary election. Plaintiffs have now filed an election contest in this Court to challenge the summary statement as an election irregularity pursuant to section 115.555.

II. Challenges to Ballot Titles

If the General Assembly writes the ballot title for a measure it proposes to voters, the title must be “a true and impartial statement of the purposes of the proposed measure in language neither intentionally argumentative nor likely to create prejudice either for or against the proposed measure.” Section 116.155.2. The summary statement is limited to 50 words, excluding articles. Id.

Section 116.190, RSMo Supp. 2013, in relevant part, allows any citizen to challenge the official ballot title proposed by the General Assembly before ah election takes place. The challenger must “state the reason or reasons why the summary statement portion of the official ballot title is insufficient or unfair.”3 Section 116.190.3. This section is a procedural safeguard that is “designed to assure that the desirability of the proposed amendment may be best judged by the people in the voting booth.” Buchanan v. Kirkpatrick, 615 S.W.2d 6, 12 (Mo. banc 1981). Such challenges are necessary “to prevent a self-serving faction from imposing its will upon the people without their full realization of the effects.” See id. at 11-12 (discussing a challenge to the ballot title of a citizen-proposed amendment). Judicial re[194] view of a ballot title is especially important in> a legislature-proposed ballot initiative. This is true because the proponent of the initiative-r-the General Assembly — writes the ballot title as well as the proposed amendment without any review of the ballot title by the executive department.4 Compare section 116.025, RSMo Supp. 2013, with section 116.155.

Pre-election review under ■ section 116.190 can be an elusive remedy, however, if there is a relatively short period of time between when the ballot title is certified and when the election is to be held because courts are ..prohibited from adding issues to ballots within, six weeks of an election. See section 115.125.2. Dotson I highlighted this problem: the Dotson I plaintiffs filed their suit on the same day the ballot title was certified, but the six-week deadline for changes prior to an election was 11 days later. See Dotson I, 435 S.W.3d at 644. Because the six-week period passed before the trial court issued a judgment, this Court determined that the case and the appeal were moot. Id. at 645. It was unlikely that both the trial court and appellate judicial review could have been completed within 11 days. See also Cole v. Carnahan, 272 S.W.3d 392, 395 (Mo. App. 2008). Because of the narrow window for judicial review, challengers, due to no delay on their part, were foreclosed from bringing their challenge. This scenario can happen when, as here, the governor places a legislative ballot proposal, that was passed during the preceding legislative session on the August primary ballot.

In contrast to a pre-election challenge under section 116.190, copter 115 allows registered voters to contest “[t]he result of any election-on any question” after an election has been held. Section 115.553.2 (emphasis added). Chapter 115 provides guidelines for posi-election challenges to election results for “irregularities” that occur during elections. See, e.g., section 115.593. This chapter endeavors to ensure that the results of each election are valid.

“Irregularity” is not defined in chapter 115, but courts have considered the violation of election statutes an irregularity that may be addressed in an election contest. Gerrard v. Bd. of Election Comm’rs, 913 S.W.2d 88, 89 (Mo. App. 1995); see Marre v. Reed, 775 S.W.2d 951 (Mo. banc 1989). Additionally, section 116.020 states, in relevant part, that “[t]he election procedures contained in chapter 115 shall apply to elections on statewide ballot measures.” As a result, under section 116.020, a challenge to the ballot title of a proposed constitutional amendment may be brought as an irregularity in a post-election action under chapter 115, so long as the issue has not been previously litigated and determined. Dotson I, 435 S.W.3d at 645.

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Dotson v. Kander, 464 S.W.3d 190, 2015 Mo. LEXIS 101, 2015 WL 4036160 (Mo. 2015).

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