Eleanor Finch
The Missouri Constitution has been amended at least 119 times since its adoption in 1945, with four additional amendments approved in 2024, bringing the total number of amendments to 126. The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of Missouri and serves as 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. It is the fourth constitution of the state, and its evolution reflects the changing politics and race relations within Missouri and the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Missouri Constitution | Fourth Constitution |
| Year of adoption | 1945 |
| Number of amendments | 119-126 |
| Number of articles | 12-14 |
| Ballot frequency | Every 20 years |
| First Missouri Constitution | 1820-1821 |
| Number of constitutions | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
The Missouri Constitution has been amended at least 119 times
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of Missouri, a US state. 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 is changed if more than half of the voters agree to it.
The first Missouri Constitution was written in 1821, a year after the state's constitutional convention in 1820, and lasted until the end of the Civil War. Missouri adopted new constitutions following constitutional conventions in 1865, 1875, and 1943-1944. The current constitution, adopted in 1945, has 12 articles and 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.
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. For a citizen-initiated amendment, supporters must collect a certain number of signatures, and then a simple majority vote is required for voter approval. For a legislative amendment, a simple majority is needed in both the Missouri House of Representatives and the State Senate to place the amendment on the ballot. A constitutional convention, on the other hand, is a gathering where delegates propose amendments, which are then voted on separately by the people.
The amendments to the Missouri Constitution have addressed a range of issues, including controversial topics such as legalizing commercial gambling, permitting human embryo research, prohibiting same-sex marriage, and legalizing medical marijuana. The high number of amendments reflects the changing politics and race relations within the state and the country.
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The current constitution was adopted in 1945
The current Missouri Constitution, the fourth in the state's history, was adopted in 1945. It has been amended at least 119 times, and possibly over 126 times or 200 times. The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the U.S. State of Missouri and is the supreme law formulating the law and government of Missouri, subject only to the federal Constitution.
The first Missouri Constitution was written in 1821 after 38 days of drafting, although Missouri was admitted as the 24th state in 1820. This Constitution established Missouri as a slave state, and the constitution specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. The second constitution was written in 1865 to officially free Missouri's enslaved people, and the third constitution was ratified in 1875, which segregated schools.
The current Missouri Constitution was drafted during the sixth Constitutional Convention, which took place from 1943 to 1944, and was ratified in 1945. This Constitution created three branches of state government: the legislative (Missouri General Assembly), the executive (the Governor of Missouri), and the judicial (the Missouri Supreme Court). It also established local city and county governments.
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three different paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Amendments are proposed changes or additions to the Constitution to improve it. For a citizen-initiated amendment, the number of signatures required is based on the number of votes cast for the governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is then required for voter approval. For a legislative amendment, a simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Missouri General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
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Amendments are proposed by the Missouri General Assembly or citizens
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the U.S. State of Missouri. It is the supreme law that formulates the law and government of Missouri, subject only to the federal Constitution. The Missouri Constitution has been amended at least 119 times, with some sources stating the number to be 126. Amendments are proposed by the Missouri General Assembly or citizens, and they are voted on by all the voters of Missouri. If more than half of the voters agree to the change, the Missouri Constitution is amended.
The Missouri General Assembly is the legislative branch of the state government, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. For the General Assembly to propose an amendment, more than half of the senators and half of the representatives need to support the change. The Missouri Constitution can also be amended through a citizen-initiated process. In Missouri, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is based on the number of votes cast for the governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. Proponents must collect signatures equal to 8% of the gubernatorial vote in two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts.
The Missouri Constitution can also be amended through a state constitutional convention. According to Article XII of the Missouri Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years, starting in 1942. Missourians have been asked this question in 1962, 1982, 2002, and 2022, and it will appear again in 2042. However, each time, a majority of the state's voters have rejected the proposal.
The process of proposing and approving amendments to the Missouri Constitution involves multiple steps and requires the support of both legislators and citizens. The Missouri Constitution has been amended numerous times to reflect the changing needs and values of the state and its people.
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Amendments require a majority vote for approval
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 has been amended many times, with the current count being over 100 amendments since 1945.
Amending the Missouri Constitution requires a majority vote for approval. This can be achieved through three different paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, or a state constitutional convention. In the citizen-initiated process, proponents must collect a certain number of signatures in two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. The number of signatures required is based on the number of votes cast for governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is then needed for voter approval of the amendment.
The legislative process involves the Missouri General Assembly, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. For the General Assembly to propose a constitutional amendment, more than half of the senators and half of the representatives must support the change. The amendment is then sent to a statewide ballot, where a simple majority vote is required for approval. It is important to note that amendments through the legislative process do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The third path to amending the Missouri Constitution is through a state constitutional convention. According to Article XII of the Missouri Constitution, a question about holding a state constitutional convention automatically appears on the state's ballot every 20 years, starting in 1942. This provides an opportunity for voters to decide on convening a convention to revise the constitution. However, it is worth mentioning that Missourians have consistently rejected the proposal to hold a constitutional convention since 1962.
In summary, amendments to the Missouri Constitution require majority approval through one of the three paths mentioned above. The citizen-initiated process involves gathering a specified number of signatures and then a simple majority vote. The legislative process requires support from a majority of both chambers of the General Assembly, followed by a statewide majority vote. The state constitutional convention path offers a less frequent opportunity for voters to decide on convening a convention, which has not been approved in recent decades.
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The constitution has 12-14 articles
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the U.S. State of Missouri. It is the supreme law that formulates the law and government of Missouri, subject only to the federal Constitution and the people. The Missouri Constitution has been amended several times since its adoption in 1945. This constitution has 12–14 articles and has been amended at least 119 times, with some sources stating 126 amendments.
The Missouri Constitution's first draft was written in 1820, a year before Missouri became a state. It was ratified on July 19, 1820, and took effect on August 10, 1821, when Missouri joined the union as the 24th state. This first constitution established Missouri as a slave state, specifically excluding "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. It lasted until the end of the Civil War.
In 1845, a second constitution was proposed but rejected by voters. During the Civil War, the Missouri Constitutional Convention (1861–1863) chose against secession and did not produce a new constitution. However, they operated as the de facto pro-Union government when the governor and other politicians who supported the Confederacy fled from Jefferson City. They provided elections for a new constitutional convention, which met in 1865 and passed the second Missouri state constitution, abolishing slavery. This second constitution was known as the "Draconian Constitution" due to its strict loyalty oath provisions, which were later struck down by the US Supreme Court.
The third constitution was ratified in 1875, and it included provisions for school segregation. In 1945, the fourth and current Missouri Constitution was written, following the sixth Constitutional Convention. This constitution created three branches of state government: the legislative (Missouri General Assembly), the executive (the Governor of Missouri), and the judicial (the Missouri Supreme Court). It also established local city and county governments.
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Amendments can be proposed by either chamber of the Missouri General Assembly (the House of Representatives or the Senate), and if approved by a majority in both chambers, it is sent to a statewide ballot for a popular vote. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval. Citizens can also initiate constitutional amendments by collecting signatures equal to 8% of the gubernatorial vote in two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts.
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Frequently asked questions
The Missouri Constitution has been amended at least 119 times. Some sources state the number of amendments is 126.
Missouri law requires that a question about holding a constitutional convention appears on the ballot every 20 years.
Missouri has held six constitutional conventions, the last of which took place in 1942.
Missouri has had four constitutions.
The current Missouri Constitution was adopted in 1945.
