Missouri 'Right to Pray' Issue Set For August 7th Vote

(Jefferson City, MO) -- This August, Missourians will vote on a constitutional amendment on the right to pray in public places.

Wednesday afternoon, Governor Jay Nixon issued a proclamation setting a vote on the issue on August 7, 2012.

House Joint Resolution No. 2, passed by the General Assembly in 2011, proposes a constitutional amendment to Article I, Section 5, of the Missouri Constitution, guaranteeing the right to pray.

Representative Mike McGhee (R-Dist. 122), the bill's sponsor, claimed some school children are being targeted for professing their religious beliefs.

The amendment specifies that religious activities must be voluntary and subject to the same rules and regulations of all forms of speech. It also affirms the right of elected public officials to be able to pray on public premises and have clergy present at public meetings.

If Gov. Nixon hadn't put the measure on the August 7 ballot, it would've showed up on the November 6 ballot.

"Because the provisions of the amendment would be effective immediately if approved by voters, Gov. Nixon chose to set the election in August," his office said in a statement.