Isabella Carter
Missouri has had several Proposition 2 or Amendment 2 ballot measures over the years, which are proposed changes to the state's constitution. The most recent was the 2020 Missouri Amendment 2, also known as the Medicaid Expansion Initiative, which amended the state's constitution to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. This was preceded by Missouri Proposition 2 in 1932 and 1921, which were also constitutional amendments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | August 2, 1921; November 8, 1932; August 4, 2020 |
| Other names | Women in Office Amendment; Limits on Changes to Legislative Procedures Initiative; Medicaid Expansion Initiative |
| Type | Legislatively referred constitutional amendment; initiated constitutional amendment |
| Outcome | Approved |
| Voter requirements | Simple majority vote |
| Number of signatures required | Based on the number of votes cast for governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election |
| Signature threshold | In two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts, 8% of the gubernatorial vote |
| Support | The Fairness Project; supporters of Medicaid expansion |
| Opposition | Conservative organisations United for Missouri and Americans for Prosperity's Missouri branch; Republican lawmakers |
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What You'll Learn
The 2020 Missouri Amendment 2
The amendment aimed to expand Medicaid eligibility to adults aged 19 to 65 (some sources state up to 64) with an income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level. This was in line with the Affordable Care Act, which effectively set the maximum at 138% by including an additional 5% income disregard. In 2020, this meant an annual income of $17,608 for an individual and $36,156 for a household of four. The amendment prohibited any additional restrictions or requirements for the expanded population to qualify for Medicaid coverage.
The initiative faced opposition from conservative groups, who argued that it violated a constitutional requirement for ballot initiatives to cite a funding source. They also claimed that it would lead to increased taxes and government control. However, the Cole County Circuit Court ruled in favor of the proposal, stating that it did not appropriate funds or change how the state legislature appropriates funds. The proposal was supported most heavily in urban areas and opposed in rural areas.
Following the vote, there were delays in implementation due to a lack of funding and resulting litigation. Enrollment in the Medicaid expansion finally began in October 2021, with Missouri becoming the 38th state to opt into the expansion. However, the rollout was slow, with only 7% of newly eligible Missourians enrolling in the first month.
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Medicaid Expansion Initiative
The 2020 Missouri Amendment 2, also known as the Medicaid Expansion Initiative, was a ballot measure to amend the Constitution of Missouri to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The vote for this initiative was held on August 4, 2020, and passed with 53.27% of the vote.
The Medicaid Expansion Initiative was proposed to expand Medicaid to persons aged 19 to 64 with an income level at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, as set forth in the Affordable Care Act. This followed similar successful initiatives in Nebraska, Utah, and Idaho, where Republican lawmakers added work requirements to their Medicaid expansions after the measures had passed.
Supporters of the Medicaid Expansion Initiative in Missouri proposed a constitutional amendment to prevent similar work restrictions from being implemented by the state legislature. After a petition gained about 346,000 signatures, Governor Mike Parson rescheduled the initiative to appear on the August primary ballot.
Opponents of the initiative sued to prevent it from being voted on, arguing that it violated a constitutional requirement for ballot initiatives to cite a funding source. However, the Cole County Circuit Court ruled in favor of the proposal, stating that the initiative itself did not appropriate funds. The Western District Missouri Court of Appeals upheld this ruling, allowing the initiative to remain on the ballot.
The implementation of the Medicaid Expansion Initiative in Missouri began in October 2021, with slow enrollment and processing of applications. Republican lawmakers proposed another constitutional amendment in 2022 to allow the state legislature to decide on the funding for the expansion and to implement a work requirement.
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Constitutional amendment requirements
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, powers, structure, limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. The current Missouri Constitution was adopted in 1945 and is the state's fourth constitution.
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three different paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. For a citizen-initiated constitutional 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. Proponents must collect signatures equal to 8% of the gubernatorial vote in two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
The legislative process for amending the Missouri Constitution requires a simple majority vote 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, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
A state constitutional convention is a gathering for the purpose of writing or revising a constitution. Missouri is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question to appear on the state's ballot every 20 years, starting in 1942. Since 1962, Missourians have been asked every 20 years 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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Missouri Proposition 2, 1932
On November 8, 1932, Missouri Proposition 2 was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Missouri. An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. In Missouri, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is based on the number of votes cast for 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 for initiated constitutional amendments. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval. Missouri Proposition 2, which imposed limits on changes to legislative procedures, was approved.
Missouri Proposition 3, an Executive Budget and Item Veto Initiative, was also on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Missouri on November 8, 1932, and was approved.
On November 6, 1934, Missouri Proposition 2 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Missouri. It was approved. A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Missouri General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 82 votes in the Missouri House of Representatives and 18 votes in the Missouri State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
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Missouri Proposition 2, 1921
On August 2, 1921, Missouri Proposition 2, also known as the Women in Office Amendment, was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Missouri. The proposition, which permitted women to hold office in the state, was approved.
Prior to the vote, Governor Arthur Hyde expressed his support for the amendment:
> "On the amendment which permits women to hold office in this State, there can no longer be any question. Since women have been enfranchised and vested with full power of suffrage, there is no logical reason why they should not be permitted to hold any office in the state government.”
No organised campaign in opposition to the ballot measure was identified. The approval of Missouri Proposition 2 marked a significant step forward in recognising the political rights of women in the state.
It is worth noting that on the same day, Missouri Proposition 1, also known as the Decision to Hold a Constitutional Convention, was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment and was also approved. This measure asked if there should be a convention to revise the state constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
Missouri Proposition 2 was a legislatively referred constitutional amendment that permitted women to hold office in the state.
Missouri Proposition 2 was an initiated constitutional amendment that imposed limits on changes to legislative procedures.
Missouri Proposition 2, also known as the Medicaid Expansion Initiative, was a ballot measure to amend the state's constitution to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Yes, Missouri Proposition 2 passed with 53.27% of the vote.
