What is the process by which Missouri voters can propose legislation called?

The process by which Missouri voters can propose legislation is known as the initiative process. This mechanism allows citizens to put forward laws or constitutional amendments by gathering a specified number of signatures from registered voters. If the required signatures are collected, the proposed measure is then placed on the ballot for a public vote.

This process empowers voters to have a direct hand in shaping legislation, addressing issues that may not be taken up by the state legislature. It highlights the participatory nature of democracy, giving citizens the ability to influence governance and policy directly.

The other options do not fit this specific function: the referendum process involves asking voters to approve or reject measures passed by the legislature, while the legislative process refers to the procedures through which laws are made in the legislature itself. The ballot process is a more general term that encompasses various election activities but does not specifically pertain to how voters can propose new legislation.