Missouri's Constitutional Evolution: Why So Many Changes?

Missouri has had four constitutions over its two centuries of statehood, with the current constitution being amended over 200 times. The first constitution was written in 1820, and was adopted on July 19, 1820. The fourth and current Missouri Constitution was ratified in 1945, and has been amended numerous times since. The Missouri Constitution is a product of direct democracy, with changes occurring due to the people's votes on explicit amendments.

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Missouri's four constitutions

Missouri has had four constitutions over its two centuries of statehood. The first constitution was written by a Constitutional Convention in 1820, in just 38 days, and was adopted on July 19, 1820. This constitution was a result of the Missouri Compromise, which allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state, and the document specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. This "exclusion clause" initially prevented the US Congress from admitting Missouri to the union.

The second constitution was ratified in 1865 following the end of the Civil War. This constitution was known as the "Draconian Constitution" due to its loyalty oath provisions, which were later struck down by the US Supreme Court in 1867. This second constitution remained in effect for ten years.

The third constitution was drafted in 1875, ten years after the second, and provided for separate schools for African-American children, among other things. In the early 1900s, this constitution was amended to allow constitutional amendment by the initiative process.

The fourth and current Missouri Constitution was ratified in 1945 and has been amended more than 126 times. This constitution provides for three branches of government: legislative (the Missouri General Assembly), executive (the Governor of Missouri), and judicial (the Supreme Court of Missouri). It also establishes local governments in the form of counties and cities. Missourians have been given the option to vote for a referendum to call another constitutional convention every 20 years, but so far, this has never passed.

The first constitution

Missouri has had four constitutions in its over two centuries of statehood. The first constitution was written by a Constitutional Convention in 1820, just 38 days after the first Missouri Constitutional Convention assembled in St. Louis on June 12, 1820. The convention was made up of 40 men from 15 Missouri counties. They elected David Barton, one of eight delegates representing St. Louis County, as president of the convention.

The original constitution included 13 articles, establishing the boundaries of the future state, the system of government, the Missouri militia, the education system, and the amendment process.

The second constitution was ratified in 1865 following the end of the Civil War. Missouri was not included in the Emancipation Proclamation due to its status as a border state and part of the Union during the war. The second constitution was known as the "Draconian Constitution" due to its loyalty oath provisions, which were struck down by the US Supreme Court in 1867.

The second constitution

Missouri has had four constitutions over its two centuries of statehood. The first constitution was written in 1820 and was adopted on July 19, 1820. The second constitution was ratified in 1865 following the end of the Civil War. This constitution was known as the "Draconian Constitution" due to its loyalty oath provisions, which were later struck down by the US Supreme Court in 1867. The second constitution remained in effect for ten years.

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The third constitution

Missouri has had four constitutions over its two centuries of statehood. The third constitution was drafted in 1875, 10 years after the second constitution was ratified. This third constitution was drafted during the state's fourth constitutional convention, which met from May 5 to August 2. It provided for, among other things, separate schools for African-American children.

In the early 1900s, the 1875 Constitution was amended to allow constitutional amendment by the initiative process. The fifth constitutional convention, held from 1922 to 1923, proposed a slate of 21 amendments instead of a new constitution. Of these, seven were adopted.

The fourth and current Missouri Constitution was adopted in 1945 and has been amended over 126 times. It provides for three branches of government: legislative (the Missouri General Assembly), executive (the Governor of Missouri), and judicial (the Supreme Court of Missouri). It also sets up local governments in the form of counties and cities.

The fourth constitution

Missouri has had four constitutions over its two centuries of statehood. The fourth and current Missouri Constitution was ratified and adopted in 1945 and has been amended more than 200 times. The fourth constitution was drafted in a constitutional convention, the sixth to be held, and was approved by voters.

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