Missouri House members on Monday gave first-round approval to a measure that could make it much more difficult to pass constitutional amendments put before voters through the initiative petition process.

Currently, a proposed constitutional amendment needs to be approved by a majority of statewide voters in order to be enacted. Rep. Ed Lewis’ proposed amendment would require any constitutional amendment placed on the ballot through the initiative petition process to win a majority of the statewide vote and passage in eight out of eight congressional districts.

“It’s the most democratic thing we can do in a representative republic," said Rep. Brian Seitz, R-Branson.

Lewis’ proposal, which needs statewide approval to go into effect, got first-round approval in the House by a 96-55 vote. I

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