The Show Me Democracy Project
Missouri Capitol Building - Jefferson City
A government where “all political power is vested in and derived from the people” is a democracy. And when the acts of a government that “originates from the people” and is “founded upon their will only” are “instituted solely for the good of the whole” a government is a Perfect Democracy.
The present government of the state of Missouri falls far short of these ideals, but thanks to an amendment to the Missouri Constitution, that was enacted in 1908, we see occasional glimpses of a Perfect Democracy in Missouri. That amendment gave the people of Missouri the power “to propose and enact or reject laws and amendments to the constitution by the initiative, independent of the general assembly” and “to approve or reject by referendum any act of the general assembly”. [Missouri Constitution, Article III, Section 49.] Referendums vest political power in the people. The initiative gives the people the power to originate legislation.
In a Perfect Democracy, proposals for legislation should be put on the ballot through the initiative whenever it appears likely that a legislative body has failed to enact legislation that has the support of a majority of the citizens and veto referendums should be called whenever it appears that a legislative body has enacted legislation that does not have the support of a majority of the citizens.
Thanks to the efforts of an earlier generation of Missourians, we the people of the state of Missouri, are blessed with arguably the most democratic constitution of any state in the United States. And while our government, at present, may be far from perfect, we, the people of Missouri, already have all the power we need to make Missouri a Perfect Democracy by enacting either one or both of -
The Personal Representation Amendment
The Personal Representation Amendment will allow every citizen who is eligible to vote in Missouri to assign a proxy to any one member of the Missouri Senate and any one member of the Missouri House, authorizing them to vote on their behalf, and give every senator and representative a number of votes equal to the number of proxies they have been assigned, plus one for themselves. Proxies can be reassigned at any time through online accounts or by submitting a paper form. That will empower Politically Active Citizens to vote (indirectly) when votes are taken in the General Assembly.
Implementing a system of Personal Representation through Proxies will shift power to the people indirectly by shifting power within the General Assembly to the members who best reflect the will of the people.
The Perfect Democracy Amendment
The Perfect Democracy Amendment will make it easier for the people of Missouri to use the initiative and call veto referendums by allowing citizens to sign petitions electronically (online).
When we enact this amendment, “all political power” will truly be “vested in and derived from the people”
Minor Changes with Major Benefits
In a survey conducted in 2021, 85% of Americans agreed that we need to completely reform or make major changes to our political system. Of course, change also makes some people nervous. Personal Representation and Perfect Democracy Amendments are relatively minor changes with major benefits.
Implementing a system of Personal Representation will instantly transform the General Assembly into a truly democratic institution that accurately reflects the will of the people of Missouri. Enacting Perfect Democracy Amendments will give the people of Missouri the ultimate power to approve or reject legislation, whether proposed by the General Assembly or through the initiative.
Getting either one or both of these reforms enacted will be a major victory for democracy - making the ideals expressed in the opening lines of Missouri Constitution a glorious reality.
Initiative petitions for both of these proposed reforms were approved for circulation in January of 2025, but we were not able to gather the required number of signatures by the deadline this year. Both Initiative petitions will be refiled on November 4th of this year and we will try again. In the meantime, we are narrowing our focus and working to -
The Show Me Democracy Project
Two Paths to Victory:
Elect Champions of Democracy to the General Assembly
We will post links to the website of any candidate for the General Assembly in Missouri who champions democracy by taking an active role in educating the citizens of Missouri about Personal Representation through a system of Proxies as part of their campaign.
Champions of Democracy will be invited to speak, raise money, and recruit volunteers at any of our upcoming events.
Our goal is to elect Champions of Democracy to a majority of the seats in both houses of the General Assembly. When we accomplish that goal, the Champions of Democracy in the General Assembly will be able to put a Personal Representation Amendment on the ballot in Missouri.
Through the Initiative
Initiative Petitions for both Personal Representation and Perfect Democracy Amendments will be filed in Missouri immediately after the election this November. Those petitions should be approved for circulation by the end of the year. We will being collecting signatures in January of 2027. If we obtain the required number of signatures by the first of May, 2028, these proposals will be on the ballot in Missouri in November of 2028.
When we get either one, or both, of these proposals approved by voters in Missouri, we will make history!
Join Our Campaign to Make Missouri a Perfect Democracy
Communication is vital within a broad-based grassroots movement. We are compiling a data base of pro-democracy activists and voters. To join the campaign to make Missouri a Perfect Democracy, please provide your email address. Your information will not be sold or shared. You will not receive emails or text messages soliciting financial contributions.
The material on this website is adapted from a soon to be published book: Government by the People: Perfecting Democracy in the 21st Century by Winston Apple.
Content is Copyright 2026 Gary Winston Apple, unless otherwise noted.
Permission is granted to share with proper attribution. All Rights are Reserved.
This website is paid for by Perfect Democracy - a 501(c)4 political action committee.