Simone Lawson
Missouri's current constitution is its fourth, which was drafted in 1945 and is still in place today. The state has had four constitutions over its two centuries of statehood, with the first being adopted on July 19, 1820. The second constitution was passed in 1865, and the third in 1875. Missourians have been given the option to vote in favor of a referendum to call another constitutional convention every 20 years, but so far, the measure has never passed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Missouri Constitution | Fourth Missouri Constitution |
| Year of Adoption | 1945 |
| Previous Constitutions | 1820, 1865, 1875 |
| Branches of Government | Legislative, Executive, Judicial |
| Legislative Branch | Missouri General Assembly, Senate, House of Representatives |
| Executive Branch | Governor of Missouri |
| Judicial Branch | Supreme Court of Missouri, Missouri Courts of Appeals, Circuit Courts |
| Local Governments | Counties, Cities |
| Amendment Process | Article XII, Automatic Referendum every 20 years |
| Number of Constitutional Articles | 14 |
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What You'll Learn
The current Missouri Constitution is the fourth version
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the U.S. state of Missouri. Missouri has had four constitutions over its two centuries of statehood, with the current one being the fourth version, which was adopted in 1945 and is still in place today. This constitution was drafted in a constitutional convention after an initiative to call for such a convention was approved by Missouri voters in 1942. The 1945 constitution provides for three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative branch, or the General Assembly, is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The executive branch is headed by the Governor of Missouri, who is elected by Missouri voters and serves a four-year term. The judicial branch is composed of judges who serve on different courts, including the Supreme Court of Missouri, the Missouri Courts of Appeals, and Circuit Courts.
The Missouri Constitution can be amended if more than half of the voters agree to the change. Since 1962, Missourians have had the option to vote every 20 years on whether to convene a constitutional convention to revise the constitution. However, each time the majority of voters have rejected the proposal. The Missouri Constitution also includes a Bill of Rights, which guarantees important freedoms for the people of Missouri, such as the right to free speech and the right to practice religion.
The first Missouri Constitution was drafted in 1820 and took effect in 1821 when Missouri joined the Union as the 24th state. This original constitution included 13 articles that established the boundaries of the state, its system of government, the Missouri militia, the education system, and the amendment process. It specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state, reflecting the fact that Missouri was initially admitted to the Union as a slave state. The second constitution was ratified in 1865 and abolished slavery, while the third constitution was drafted in 1875 and provided for separate schools for African-American children, among other things.
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It was ratified in 1945 and is still in place today
The current Missouri Constitution, ratified in 1945, is the state's fourth constitution. It was drafted in 1942 when Missouri voters approved an initiative to call for a constitutional convention. The constitution has been amended numerous times and remains the state's current constitution. It provides for three branches of government: the 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. 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. There are 34 senators in the Senate. Representatives, on the other hand, get to keep their jobs for two years before having to run for reelection. There are 163 representatives in the House of Representatives. The people in the Senate and House of Representatives write Missouri's laws.
The executive branch is headed by the Governor of Missouri, who is elected by Missouri voters. The Governor signs bills into law and then ensures that the rules in those laws are followed. The Governor holds office for four years and then has to run for reelection.
The judicial branch is made up of judges who serve on different courts, such as the Supreme Court of Missouri, Missouri Courts of Appeals, and Circuit Courts. A judge's role is to interpret the constitution and laws, providing clarity on their meaning.
The Missouri Constitution has been amended several times since its ratification in 1945, reflecting the changes that the state and nation have experienced over time. Missourians have been given the option to vote for a referendum to call another constitutional convention every 20 years. However, the majority of voters have rejected this proposal each time. The next opportunity to vote on this referendum will be in 2042.
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The first constitution was adopted in 1820
The first Missouri Constitution was drafted in 1820 and was in effect from 1821 to 1865. It was written by a Constitutional Convention in just 38 days and was adopted on July 19, 1820. It included 13 articles, establishing the boundaries of the future state, the system of government, the Missouri militia, the education system, and the amendment process.
One of the results of the Missouri Compromise, Missouri was initially admitted to the Union as a slave state. The constitution specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. This "exclusion clause" initially forestalled the US Congress from admitting Missouri to the union, but it was chosen to be interpreted in a deliberately vague manner.
The first constitution began with a preamble mirroring that of the country's, written 33 years before: "We, the people of Missouri, inhabiting the limits hereinafter designated, by our representatives in convention assembled, at St. Louis, on Monday, the 12th day of June, 1820, do mutually agree to form and establish a free and independent republic, by the name of 'the State of Missouri;' and for the government thereof, do ordain and establish this constitution."
The first Missouri Constitution remained in effect until 1865, when the second constitution became effective. This second constitution was passed by a new constitutional convention, which was elected in November 1864 and met in January 1865. This second constitution abolished slavery and was ratified on June 6, 1865. It was known as the "Draconian Constitution" due to its loyalty oath provisions, which were later struck down by the US Supreme Court.
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The second constitution was ratified in 1865
The second Missouri state constitution was ratified on June 6, 1865. This constitution was drafted by a constitutional convention that was elected in November 1864 and met in January 1865. The 1865 constitution was significant because it abolished slavery in the state and was known as the "Draconian Constitution" due to its loyalty oath provisions. However, these provisions were later struck down by the US Supreme Court in Cummings v. The second constitution replaced the first Missouri constitution, which had been in effect since 1821 when Missouri joined the Union as the 24th state. The first constitution was drafted in 1820 in just 38 days and included 13 articles establishing the boundaries of the state, its system of government, the Missouri militia, the education system, and the amendment process.
The second constitution of Missouri was short-lived, remaining in effect for only 10 years until 1875. In that year, the fourth constitutional convention was held, and a new constitution was drafted. This third constitution provided for separate schools for African-American children, among other things. Over time, Missouri has had four constitutions in total, reflecting the changes that the state has undergone. The current and fourth constitution of Missouri was adopted in 1945 and provides for three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
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The third constitution was drafted in 1875
The state of 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 adopted in 1865. The fourth constitutional convention was held from May 5 to August 2, 1875, and the resulting constitution made provisions for separate schools for African-American children, among other things.
The 1875 constitution was amended in the early 1900s to allow constitutional amendment by the initiative process. This meant that citizens could propose and pass laws. The 1875 constitution was also notable for its preamble, which was also used in the 1945 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 first Missouri constitution was drafted in 1820 and took effect in 1821 when Missouri joined the union as the 24th state. This constitution included 13 articles that established the boundaries of the state, its system of government, the Missouri militia, the education system, and the amendment process. Notably, this first constitution specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state, reflecting the state's early history as a slave state.
The second constitution was passed in 1865, during the American Civil War. This constitution abolished slavery and was known as the "Draconian Constitution" due to its loyalty oath provisions, which were later struck down by the US Supreme Court.
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Frequently asked questions
The fourth and current Missouri Constitution was adopted in 1945 and is still in place today.
The Missouri Constitution has been amended numerous times. The most recent amendments, of which there were four, were approved in 2024.
Missourians are given the option to vote in favour of a referendum for a new constitution every 20 years.
Missouri's first constitution was drafted in 1820 and was in effect from 1821 to 1865.
