The Evolution Of Missouri's Constitution

Missouri has had four constitutions over its two centuries of statehood, with the current Missouri Constitution being approved in 1945. This fourth constitution has been amended numerous times and remains the state's current constitution. The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of Missouri and is the supreme law that formulates the law and government of Missouri, subject only to the federal Constitution and the people.

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Missouri has had four constitutions

The first constitution was written by the Constitutional Convention in 1820 and was adopted on July 19, 1820. One of the results of the Missouri Compromise, Missouri was initially admitted to the Union as a slave state, and the constitution specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. This "exclusion clause" initially forestalled the US Congress admitting Missouri to the union, but was chosen to be interpreted in a deliberately vague manner. This constitution took effect the day Missouri joined the union as the twenty-fourth state on August 10, 1821. The second convention in 1845 produced a constitution rejected by voters.

During the American Civil War, the Missouri Constitutional Convention (1861-63) was elected to decide on secession. They chose against secession and did not produce a new constitution. Instead, they operated as the de facto pro-Union government of Missouri when Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson and other politicians who supported the Confederacy fled from Jefferson City. They provided elections to a new constitutional convention, which was elected in November 1864 and met in January 1865, passing a second Missouri state constitution that abolished slavery, ratified on June 6, 1865. This second constitution was known as the "Draconian Constitution" due to its loyalty oath provisions, which were struck down by the US Supreme Court.

The third constitution was drafted 10 years later in 1875 after a constitutional convention was held. This constitution provided for, among other things, separate schools for African-American children. In the early 1900s, the Constitution of 1875 was amended to allow constitutional amendment by the initiative process. The fourth constitution was drafted in a constitutional convention, and voters ratified it in 1945. The 1945 constitution is still in place today. In Missouri, citizens can propose and pass laws too. The Governor can sign the bill into law, or veto it. A veto means the Governor thinks the bill should not be a law. If the Governor vetoes the bill, the bill can still become a law if two out of three senators and representatives support the bill.

The current constitution was ratified in 1945

The current Missouri Constitution, the fourth version, was ratified in 1945. This latest version has been amended numerous times and remains the state's current constitution. Missouri has had four constitutions over its two centuries of statehood, reflecting the changes that the nation as a whole has gone through over time. The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of Missouri and is the supreme law formulating the law and government of Missouri, subject only to the federal Constitution and the people.

The fourth constitution was drafted in a constitutional convention, and voters ratified the constitution in 1945. The 1945 constitution is still in place today. The first constitution was written by a Constitutional Convention in 1820 and was adopted on July 19, 1820. One of the results of the Missouri Compromise, Missouri was initially admitted to the Union as a slave state, and the constitution specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state.

The second constitution was ratified in 1865 following the end of the Civil War. As Missouri was not included in the Emancipation Proclamation due to its status as both a border state and part of the Union during the war, the second constitution ended the institution of slavery for the state. The third constitution was drafted 10 years later in 1875 after a constitutional convention was held. This constitution provided for, among other things, separate schools for African-American children.

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. 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 people in the Senate. Representatives get to keep their jobs for two years before running for reelection. There are 163 people in the House of Representatives. The people in the Senate and House of Representatives write Missouri's laws.

The constitution has 14 articles

The current Missouri Constitution, the state's fourth constitution, was adopted in 1945 and has 14 articles. It is the supreme law formulating the law and government of Missouri, subject only to the federal Constitution and the people. 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 first constitution was written by the Constitutional Convention in 1820 and was adopted on July 19, 1820. It specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. This "exclusion clause" initially prevented the US Congress from admitting Missouri to the union. However, it was chosen to be interpreted vaguely, and Missouri was admitted to the union as a slave state on August 10, 1821.

The second constitution was ratified in 1865 following the end of the Civil War. This constitution ended the institution of slavery in Missouri. The third constitution was drafted in 1875 and included a provision establishing the segregation of Missouri's school system and appropriating 25% of the state's general revenue for education.

In 1942, Missouri voters approved an initiative to call for a constitutional convention, leading to the drafting of the fourth constitution, which was ratified in 1945 and remains in place today. This constitution has been amended numerous times, with the most recent amendments being approved in 2024. Since 1962, Missourians have had the option to vote for a referendum to call another constitutional convention every 20 years, but the measure has never passed.

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It has been amended over 100 times

The current Missouri Constitution, adopted in 1945, is the state's fourth constitution. It has been amended over 100 times, with the most recent amendments (four in total) approved in 2024.

The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of Missouri and is the supreme law that formulates the law and government of the state. It establishes 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 process of amending the Missouri Constitution is outlined in Article XII, which established the amendment process. Missourians have been given the option to vote in favor of a referendum to call another constitutional convention every 20 years. This measure has never passed. The Missouri Constitution can be amended through a simple majority vote for voter approval. Proponents in two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts must collect signatures equal to 8% of the gubernatorial vote for initiated constitutional amendments. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

The first Missouri Constitution was written by a Constitutional Convention in 1820 and adopted on July 19, 1820. Missouri became a state on August 10, 1821, and this constitution took effect on that day. The second constitution was ratified in 1865 following the end of the Civil War, and it ended the institution of slavery in the state. The third constitution was drafted in 1875, and it included a provision for separate schools for African-American children.

The Missouri Constitution is subject to the federal Constitution

Missouri's current constitution, adopted in 1945, is the fourth constitution in the state's history. It establishes 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 provides for three branches of government: the legislative branch (the Missouri General Assembly), the executive branch (the Governor of Missouri), and the judicial branch (the Supreme Court of Missouri). It also establishes local governments in the form of counties and cities. The state constitution outlines the powers and responsibilities of each branch, ensuring a separation of powers and providing checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power in any one branch.

The Missouri Constitution also includes a Bill of Rights, which guarantees certain fundamental freedoms and rights to the people of Missouri. These rights include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to own a gun, and the right to farm, among others. While the Missouri Constitution protects these rights at the state level, they are also protected at the federal level by the United States Constitution, specifically by the First and Second Amendments.

The process of amending the Missouri Constitution is outlined in Article XII of the state constitution. Amendments can be proposed by the General Assembly or by the people of Missouri. For an amendment to be approved, more than half of the voters in Missouri must agree to the change. This process allows the state constitution to evolve and adapt to the changing needs and values of its citizens while still operating within the overarching framework of the federal Constitution.

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