Jonah Patel
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of Missouri, which became a state in 1821. It is the fundamental document outlining the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. Missouri has had four constitutions in its history, with the current one being adopted in 1945. The Missouri Constitution is of paramount importance as it provides for three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. It also includes a Bill of Rights, which guarantees important freedoms and rights, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to own a gun, and the right to farm. The constitution can be amended through three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, or a state constitutional convention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of constitutions in Missouri's history | 4 |
| Year of the first constitution | 1820 |
| Year Missouri became a state | 1821 |
| Number of amendments to the current constitution | 119 or 126 |
| Number of amendments in the latest round of changes | 4 |
| Year of the current constitution | 1945 |
| Year of the third constitution | 1875 |
| Year of the second constitution | 1865 |
| Year of the first constitution | 1820 |
| Number of constitutional conventions held | 6 |
| Number of constitutional articles | 14 |
| Rights | Right to speak, right to practice religion, right to own a gun, right to farm, freedom |
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What You'll Learn
The Missouri Constitution's Bill of Rights
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 is subject only to the federal Constitution and the people.
Missouri became a state in 1821 and has had four constitutions in its history. The current Missouri Constitution was created in 1945 and is still in effect today. The 1945 constitution starts with a preamble that was also used in the 1875 constitution:
> We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, do establish this Constitution for the better government of the state.
The Missouri Constitution splits Missouri's government into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The Legislative Branch in Missouri is called the "General Assembly," and is split into the Senate and the House of Representatives. The people in the Senate and House of Representatives write Missouri's laws. Missourians choose their representatives and senators by voting for them in elections. Senators keep their jobs for four years and then have to run for reelection. Representatives get to keep their jobs for two years and then have to run for reelection.
The Missouri Constitution also has a Bill of Rights, which gives the people of Missouri important freedoms. For example, the Bill of Rights protects the right to speak and the right to practice religion. The Bill of Rights also protects other things like a person's right to own a gun and right to farm.
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three different paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. If a Missouri citizen wants to pass a bill, five percent of Missouri’s voters have to sign a petition showing their support for it. If enough people sign the petition, all Missouri voters vote and decide if that bill should be a law. The Missouri Constitution is changed if more than half of the voters agree to it.
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The constitution's amendment process
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the U.S. State of Missouri. It is the fundamental document that outlines a 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 the supreme law formulating the law and government of Missouri, subject only to the federal Constitution and the people.
Missouri has had four constitutions in its history. The current Missouri Constitution was created and adopted in 1945, and the rules from that constitution still apply today. The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three different paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.
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. In two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts, proponents must collect signatures equal to 8% of the gubernatorial vote for initiated constitutional amendments. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Legislative Process
For the General Assembly to suggest a change, more than half of the senators and half of the representatives need to support a change to the Missouri Constitution before the people can vote for it. 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.
State Constitutional Convention
According to Section 3a of 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. Missouri is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question. Since 1962, Missourians have been asked every twenty 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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The three branches of government
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the U.S. state of Missouri. It is the fundamental document outlining the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. The current Missouri Constitution, adopted in 1945, is the state's fourth constitution and has been amended at least 119 times, with the most recent amendments approved in 2024.
The Missouri Constitution is important as it establishes the three branches of Missouri's government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
The Legislative Branch
The legislative branch of Missouri's government is called the "General Assembly" and is split into the Senate and the House of Representatives. Missourians choose their representatives and senators through elections, with senators serving four-year terms before running for reelection. Bills are proposed by senators or representatives and are discussed and voted on by committees and the full house or senate. If a bill passes, it goes to the other side of the General Assembly for further discussion and voting.
The Executive Branch
The executive branch of Missouri's government is led by the Governor of Missouri. The governor is responsible for overseeing the execution of the state's laws and managing the state's resources and agencies. The governor also has the power to sign or veto bills passed by the General Assembly, as well as propose and administer the state budget.
The Judicial Branch
The judicial branch of Missouri's government is headed by the Supreme Court of Missouri. It is the highest court in the state and has the final say on interpreting the state's laws and constitution. The Supreme Court hears appeals from lower courts and ensures that the laws and actions of the state conform to the Missouri Constitution and federal law. The Missouri Constitution also establishes local governments in the form of counties and cities, each with its own judicial system.
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Citizens' law-making powers
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the US State of Missouri. It is the fundamental document 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 the supreme law that formulates the law and government of Missouri, subject only to the federal Constitution and the people.
The Missouri Constitution has provided 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 legislative branch, or General Assembly, is split into the Senate and the House of Representatives. Missourians choose their representatives and senators by voting for them in elections. Senators keep their jobs for four years before they have to run for reelection.
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three different paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Citizens play a crucial role in the law-making process in Missouri. If a Missouri citizen wants to pass a bill, five percent of Missouri voters must sign a petition showing their support. If enough people sign the petition, all Missouri voters decide through a vote if that bill should become a law. The Missouri Constitution can be changed if more than half of the voters agree to it.
The first step to making a law is writing a "bill". A senator or representative can write a bill they want to be passed into law. A smaller group of senators or representatives called a "committee" then reviews the bill and discusses it. The committee holds a meeting where citizens and experts can provide input on the bill. If the committee supports the bill, the entire Senate or House of Representatives discusses it and votes on it. If more than half of the Senate or House supports the bill, the bill goes to the other side of the General Assembly.
The Missouri Constitution has a Bill of Rights, which gives the people of Missouri important freedoms. For example, the Bill of Rights protects the right to speak, the right to practice religion, the right to own a gun, and the right to farm.
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Historical context and changes
Missouri has had four constitutions in its history. The first constitution was drafted in 1820 and was adopted when Missouri became a state in 1821. Notably, this constitution included an exclusion clause that prohibited "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. This clause initially prevented the US Congress from admitting Missouri to the Union.
The second convention in 1845 produced a constitution that was rejected by voters. During the American Civil War, the Missouri Constitutional Convention (1861-63) chose not to secede and did not produce a new constitution. Instead, they acted as the de facto pro-Union government of Missouri when the governor and other pro-Confederate politicians fled from Jefferson City. A new constitutional convention was elected in 1864 and passed a second Missouri state constitution that abolished slavery, ratified in 1865. This second constitution was known as the Draconian Constitution due to its loyalty oath provisions, which were later struck down by the US Supreme Court.
The third constitution was drafted in 1875 and provided for, among other things, separate schools for African-American children. This constitution was amended in the early 1900s to allow constitutional amendment by the initiative process. The fifth constitutional convention was held from 1922 to 1923 and proposed 21 amendments, of which seven were adopted.
In the early 20th century, Missouri was dominated by corrupt political "bosses", such as Tom Pendergast of Kansas City. As a result, reformers called for a sixth constitutional convention, which was approved by voters in 1942. The fourth and current Missouri Constitution was drafted in 1945 and ratified by voters the same year. It has been amended at least 119 times since then, with notable amendments including the legalization of commercial gambling in 1993, the allowance of human embryo production for stem cell research in 2006, and the legalization and regulation of medical marijuana in 2018.
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Frequently asked questions
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of Missouri, which outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters.
Missouri has had four constitutions in its history. The first constitution was written in 1820 and adopted when Missouri became a state in 1821. The current constitution is the fourth, adopted in 1945, and has been amended at least 119 times.
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, 5% of voters must sign a petition showing their support. The amendment is then voted on by all Missouri voters and passed if more than half agree.
The Missouri Constitution includes 14 articles, such as "The Distribution of Powers," "Legislative Department," "Corporations," "Amending the Constitution," "Public Employees," and "Medical Cannabis." It also includes a Bill of Rights, which gives the people of Missouri important freedoms, such as the right to speak, practice religion, own a gun, and farm.
