When Missouri's Current Constitution Was Born

Missouri's current constitution, its fourth, was ratified in 1945 and has been amended at least 119 times since. The constitution was written by the sixth Constitutional Convention, which was called in reaction to the state's corrupt political bosses of the early 20th century. The 1945 constitution establishes three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.

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The first Missouri Constitution was adopted in 1820

The first Missouri Constitution was adopted on July 19, 1820, more than a year before Missouri officially became a state on August 10, 1821. The first constitution was drafted in just 38 days and was in effect from 1821 until 1865, when the second constitution became effective.

The original constitution included 13 articles, establishing the boundaries of the future state, the system of government, the Missouri militia, the education system, and the amendment process. Notably, Article V, section 1, provided that "the judicial powers as to matters of law and equity, shall be vested in a 'Supreme Court' in a 'Chancellor' in 'Circuit Courts,' and in such inferior tribunals as the general assembly may, from time to time, ordain and establish." This article remains relevant in today's state constitution.

The 1820 constitution also divided original jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases, granting the circuit courts original jurisdiction over criminal cases and the "courts of chancery" jurisdiction over certain civil cases. For instance, the chancery courts had original and appellate jurisdiction over "all matters of equity." Additionally, the first constitution specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state, a provision known as the "exclusion clause."

Since the adoption of the first constitution, Missouri has had four constitutions in total, reflecting the changes and evolution the state has undergone over time. The current constitution, adopted in 1945, is the result of the sixth Constitutional Convention and has been amended numerous times.

The current constitution is the fourth

The current constitution of Missouri is the fourth and was written in 1945. It is the supreme law that outlines the law and government of Missouri and is 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 fourth constitution was preceded by three others, each reflecting the changes that the nation underwent over time. The first constitution was written in 1820 and was in effect from 1821 to 1865. It was drafted in just 38 days and was adopted on July 19, 1820, more than a year before Missouri became a state on August 10, 1821. This constitution 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 notable aspect of this first constitution was its "exclusion clause," which specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. This clause initially prevented the US Congress from admitting Missouri to the Union, but it was chosen to be interpreted vaguely to allow for admission.

The second constitution was ratified in 1865 following the end of the Civil War. During the war, the Missouri Constitutional Convention (1861-1863) chose against secession and operated as the de facto pro-Union government when the governor, and other politicians supporting the Confederacy, fled. This second constitution abolished slavery and was known as the "Draconian Constitution" due to its strict loyalty oath provisions, which were later struck down by the US Supreme Court in 1867. This constitution remained in effect for ten years.

The third constitution was drafted in 1875 by the fourth constitutional convention and lasted until the current constitution was ratified in 1945. Since 1945, there have been at least 119 amendments made to the current constitution, including controversial ones such as legalizing commercial gambling in 1993 and prohibiting same-sex marriage in 2004.

It was ratified in 1945

The current Missouri Constitution was ratified in 1945. It is the fourth constitution in the history of the state and remains the state's current constitution. The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the U.S. State of Missouri. It is the supreme law formulating the law and government of Missouri, subject only to the federal Constitution and the people.

The first constitution of Missouri was written in 1820 and adopted on July 19, 1820, more than a year before Missouri became a state on August 10, 1821. This constitution included 13 articles, establishing the boundaries of the future state, the system of government, the Missouri militia, the education system, and the amendment process. It also established the judicial branch of government, providing for a Supreme Court, Chancellor, Circuit Courts, and other inferior tribunals.

The second constitution of Missouri was ratified in 1865 following the end of the 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 in Cummings v. Missouri (1867). The third constitution was drafted in 1875, and the fourth and current constitution was written and approved by the sixth Constitutional Convention over the course of a year and ratified in 1945.

Since 1945, there have been at least 119 amendments made to the Missouri Constitution. Some of these amendments have been controversial and high-profile, such as legalizing commercial gambling in 1993, allowing the production of human embryos for stem cell research, and an English-only amendment in 2008. The Missouri Constitution can be amended by gathering enough voter support for a proposed change and then holding a vote, with the amendment passing if more than half of the voters agree.

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Voters rejected a new constitution in 2022

Chile's current constitution was drafted in 1980 under the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet. In 2022, Chilean voters rejected a proposal for a new constitution in a referendum. The proposed constitution was drafted over a year by a constitutional assembly comprising 154 members, most of whom were political independents. It was intended to replace the constitution adopted during Pinochet's dictatorship.

The proposed constitution was one of the most progressive in the world and included 388 articles that would have significantly extended social rights, increased environmental regulation, and given the government broader responsibility for social welfare programs. It also provided for full gender parity and designated seats for indigenous representatives.

However, voters rejected the proposal by a margin of more than 20 points, with 62% voting against it and 38% in favour. The rejection was attributed to various factors, including misinformation and concerns about the document's guarantees for indigenous people. Following the vote, President Gabriel Boric expressed his willingness to repeat the constitutional process and work towards a proposal that better reflects the interests of Chilean men and women.

The current Missouri Constitution, on the other hand, was adopted in 1945 and remains the state's supreme law, outlining its government and legal framework. It is the fourth constitution in the state's history and provides for three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. While there have been proposals to convene a constitutional convention and amend the constitution over the years, the majority of Missouri voters have consistently rejected these proposals.

The constitution has been amended at least 119 times

The current Missouri Constitution, adopted in 1945, is the state's fourth constitution. It was ratified after the sixth Constitutional Convention wrote and approved it over the course of a year. This latest version has been amended at least 119 times and remains the state’s current constitution.

The process of amending the Missouri Constitution starts with a bill, which can be written by senators, representatives, or even Missouri citizens. 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, it goes to the full senate or house for a vote. If more than half of the Senate or House supports the bill, it then goes to the other side of the General Assembly. For an amendment to be made to the constitution, more than half of Missouri voters must agree to it.

In recent years, some of these amendments have been both controversial and high-profile. For example, in 1993, an amendment legalized commercial gambling. In 2004, Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 prohibited same-sex marriage. In 2006, Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 allowed the production of human embryos for stem cell research. In 2008, an English-only amendment was passed. On November 6, 2018, a constitutional amendment was passed that legalized and regulated medical marijuana. The most recent amendments to the Missouri Constitution, four in total, were approved in 2024.

Since 1962, Missourians have had the option to vote every 20 years on whether to convene a constitutional convention to revise the constitution. This vote is provided for by Article XII of the present constitution. Each time, a majority of the state's voters have rejected the proposal. The vote took place in 1962, 1982, 2002, 2022, and will take place again in 2042.

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