Missouri Legislature Passes Secret Ballot Referendum
Missouri Legislature Passes Secret Ballot Referendum
JEFFERSON CITY — The House has approved 83-74 a proposal that would require secret ballot in some elections, including those for unions.
The resolution came about after debate about the federal Employee Free Choice Act, which would allow union organization through public petition rather than secret ballot.
“This resolution is not anti-union or pro-business; it’s about the foundation of our democracy,” said sponsor Rep. Mike Cunningham, R-Rogersville.
Rep. Shane Schoeller, R-Willard, said secret ballots should be a constitutional right.
“What are they afraid of?” he asked. “Give every worker the chance to vote for this in the privacy of their own voting booth.”
Democrats criticized proponents, in part for applying the language to unions but not elected Legislative officials.
“You only believe in private elections for some things,” said Rep. Michael Frame, D-Eureka.
Rep. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, sponsored an unsuccessful amendment to prohibit the proposal from interfering with the federal bill.
The proposal is “unfair to Missouir workers, it’s unjust, it may have unintended consequences and it may be unconstitutional,” Walsh said.
The proposal needs to get through one more vote before it goes to the Senate. If passed through that chamber, it would go to a vote of the people.