Eleanor Finch
The Missouri Constitution, the state constitution of the U.S. State of Missouri, has been amended numerous times since its adoption in 1945. The process of amending the constitution can occur through three avenues: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. This article will explore the different paths for proposing amendments to the Missouri Constitution and provide examples of significant amendments that have been made in recent years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of ways to propose amendments | 3 |
| Ways to propose amendments | Citizen-initiated process, legislative process, state constitutional convention |
| Minimum number of votes required in the Missouri House of Representatives | 82 |
| Minimum number of votes required in the Missouri State Senate | 18 |
| Number of constitutional articles | 14 |
| Current constitution | Fourth constitution |
| Year of the current constitution | 1945 |
| Number of amendments made to the current constitution | 119 |
| Number of amendments made in 2024 | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
Amendments via citizen-initiated process
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of Missouri, which is subject only to the federal Constitution and the people. The current constitution was adopted in 1945 and is the state's fourth constitution. It provides for three branches of government: legislative (the Missouri General Assembly), executive (the Governor of Missouri), and judicial (the Supreme Court of Missouri).
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three different paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. This process involves the following steps:
- Citizens can propose amendments to the Missouri Constitution by gathering signatures through an initiative petition. The number of signatures required is typically a percentage of registered voters in the state, and the process can vary in complexity depending on the specific rules and regulations in Missouri.
- Once the required number of valid signatures is verified by election officials, the proposed amendment is placed on the ballot for a popular vote.
- During an election, voters cast their ballots to either accept or reject the proposed amendment. The specific rules for passing an amendment can vary, but it typically requires a majority vote or a supermajority vote (a higher threshold than a simple majority).
- If the proposed amendment receives the required level of voter support, it is then approved and becomes part of the Missouri Constitution. The effective date of the amendment may vary depending on the specific rules in Missouri.
It is worth noting that Missourians have been asked every twenty years since 1962 if they would like to convene a constitutional convention to revise the constitution. Each time, a majority of the state's voters have rejected the proposal.
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Amendments via legislative process
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the U.S. State of Missouri. It is the supreme law that outlines the governance of Missouri, and it provides for three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.
Amendments via the legislative process involve the Missouri General Assembly, which is the legislative branch of the state government. The process begins with the introduction of a bill in the General Assembly that proposes an amendment to the constitution. This bill must be passed by a simple majority vote in both the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri State Senate. The specific threshold is a minimum of 82 votes in the House and 18 votes in the Senate, assuming no vacancies. It's important to note that amendments proposed through this legislative process do not require the signature of the Governor to be referred to the ballot.
Once the bill passes in both chambers of the General Assembly, it moves towards appearing on the ballot. The proposed amendment is then published in newspapers across the state for voters' information and consideration. The publication requirements vary depending on the number of newspapers in each county. If there are two newspapers of different political affiliations in a county, the proposed amendment must be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in each newspaper. If there is only one newspaper in a county, then publication must be made for four consecutive weeks.
After the publication process, the proposed amendment is officially placed on the ballot for voters to decide on. Each amendment is voted on separately, allowing voters to consider each one independently. If a majority of the votes cast are in favor of the amendment, it will take effect 30 days after the election. This legislative process empowers the General Assembly to initiate constitutional changes, but the ultimate decision lies with the people of Missouri through their votes.
It is worth noting that there have been efforts to make it harder for voters to amend the Missouri Constitution. In 2024, the Missouri Senate passed a bill that included provisions banning non-citizen voting on constitutional amendments and restricting foreign entities from contributing to or sponsoring such amendments. This bill also addressed other topics like taxes, lobbying, and law enforcement funding. While some provisions were removed during the legislative process, the push to make constitutional amendments more challenging underscores the ongoing political dynamics surrounding the state's constitution.
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Amendments via state constitutional convention
The Missouri Constitution, the state constitution of Missouri, is the supreme law that outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three different paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.
Since 1942, Missouri is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic referendum on whether to hold a state constitutional convention every 20 years. This referendum appears on the ballot every 20 years, starting in 1962, and has been voted on in 1962, 1982, 2002, and 2022, with the next vote scheduled for 2042. Each time, a majority of the state's voters have rejected the proposal to hold a constitutional convention.
The state's fifth constitutional convention was held from 1922 to 1923, where 21 amendments were proposed instead of a new constitution. The delegates assembled in Jefferson City from May 15, 1922, to November 6, 1923, and the ballot form allowed a separate vote on each amendment, with seven of the 21 amendments being adopted.
In 1942, reformers called for a sixth constitutional convention in reaction to corrupt political "bosses" in Missouri, and the initiative was passed by voters. The voters ratified the new constitution in 1945, which remains the current constitution of Missouri. Since 1945, there have been at least 119 amendments made to the Constitution.
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Publicity requirements for proposed amendments
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. The publicity requirements for proposed amendments are outlined in Article XII, Section 2(b) of the Missouri Constitution.
This section states that each proposed amendment should be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in two newspapers of different political orientations in each county. The last publication should be no more than thirty and no less than fifteen days before the election. If a county has only one newspaper, the proposed amendment must be published in that paper for four consecutive weeks.
These requirements ensure that the public is informed about the proposed amendments before voting. By publishing the amendments in multiple newspapers with varying political affiliations, the state aims to provide a balanced perspective and encourage an informed decision-making process among voters.
In recent years, there have been efforts by the Missouri Senate to make it harder for voters to amend the constitution. For instance, in 2024, the Senate passed a bill that included provisions banning non-citizen voting on constitutional amendments and barring amendments related to certain topics like taxes on food or real estate. These actions reflect a trend of increasing challenges to the amendment process in Missouri.
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Restrictions on amendment topics
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the U.S. State of Missouri. It is the supreme law that outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.
The Missouri Constitution imposes certain restrictions on the topics that can be addressed through constitutional amendments. For example, Article XII, Section 2(b) of the Missouri Constitution specifies that a proposed amendment shall not contain more than one amended and revised article or one new article. This restriction ensures that each amendment focuses on a single subject and related matters, allowing for clear and concise modifications to the constitution.
In recent years, there have been attempts to further restrict the topics that can be proposed as amendments. In 2024, the Missouri Senate passed a bill that aimed to make it harder for voters to amend the constitution. While most of the provisions were removed during the filibuster, the bill included restrictions on certain amendment topics. Initially, it banned amendments proposing taxes on food or real estate, gifts to public officials from lobbyists, defunding the police, and opposing the use of state resources for defending the national border. However, these provisions were removed, and the focus shifted towards banning non-citizen voting on constitutional amendments and preventing foreign entities from contributing to or sponsoring such amendments.
The history of Missouri's constitutions and amendments reveals a dynamic process of revision and adaptation. The state's first constitution, drafted in 1820, specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. This "exclusion clause" caused tension with the US Congress and was a compromise at the time. In the early 20th century, Missouri faced political corruption, which led to reforms and the adoption of a new constitution in 1945, which remains the current constitution. Since then, there have been at least 119 amendments, addressing various topics such as commercial gambling, stem cell research, same-sex marriage, and the legalisation of medical marijuana.
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Frequently asked questions
Amendments to the Missouri Constitution can be proposed through three different paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.
According to Article XII of the Missouri Constitution, the people of Missouri can call for a state constitutional convention every 20 years through an automatic referendum.
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Missouri General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. This amounts to a minimum of 82 votes in the Missouri House of Representatives and 18 votes in the Missouri State Senate. If a majority of votes cast is in favor of the amendment, it shall take effect 30 days after the election.
