Omar Bennett
Missouri's constitution has been amended numerous times since its first constitution was ratified in 1865, following the end of the Civil War. The state has had four constitutions in its history, with the current one being ratified in 1945. This latest version has also been amended over 200 times, with the most recent amendments being approved in 2024. Amendments can be made via three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of constitutions in Missouri's history | 4 |
| Current constitution | 1945 Constitution |
| Number of amendments to the 1945 Constitution | More than 200 |
| Number of amendments to the Missouri Constitution in 2024 | 4 |
| Amendment methods | Citizen-initiated process, legislative process, and state constitutional convention |
| Citizen-initiated process | Voters sign a petition to place a proposal on the ballot |
| Legislative process | Referral by the legislature |
| Number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment | Based on the number of votes cast for governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election |
| Voting requirement for amendments | More than half of the voters |
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What You'll Learn
- Missouri's current constitution was ratified in 1945 and has been amended over 200 times
- Amendments can be made via citizen-initiated process, legislative process, or state constitutional convention
- Voters can call for a constitutional convention every 20 years, but this has never passed
- The first 10 amendments to Missouri's constitution are known as the Bill of Rights
- The constitution has been amended to legalise commercial gambling, stem cell research, and medical marijuana
Missouri's current constitution was ratified in 1945 and has been amended over 200 times
The second constitution was ratified in 1865 following the end of the Civil War. This ended the institution of slavery in the state, though Missouri was not included in the Emancipation Proclamation. The second constitution was known as the "Draconian Constitution" due to its loyalty oath provisions, which were struck down by the US Supreme Court in 1867.
The fourth and current constitution was drafted during the sixth Constitutional Convention, which was approved by voters in 1942. The convention wrote and approved the constitution over the course of a year, and it was ratified in 1945. This constitution has been amended numerous times, with at least 119 amendments made since 1945.
Amendments to the Missouri Constitution can be made via three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Changes to the constitution are made when more than half of the voters agree to them. Notably, most changes to the state's constitutional interpretation have occurred due to the people's votes on explicit amendments rather than government action.
Some of the more recent and notable amendments to Missouri's constitution include the legalization of commercial gambling in the 1990s, the allowance of the production of human embryos for stem cell research in 2006, and the legalization and regulation of medical marijuana in 2018. The most recent amendments, comprising four alterations, were approved in 2024.
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Amendments can be made via citizen-initiated process, legislative process, or state constitutional convention
Missouri's current constitution, which was ratified in 1945, has been amended more than 200 times since then. The state's constitution can be amended via three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, or a state constitutional convention.
Citizen-Initiated Process
Citizens of Missouri can initiate constitutional amendments. 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. This is an example of direct democracy, where the people of Missouri have the power to make changes to their constitution.
Legislative Process
The Missouri Constitution can also be amended through a legislative process. Senators or representatives can write a bill that they want to be made into law. For an amendment to be passed, more than half of the voters must agree to it.
State Constitutional Convention
Missouri's constitutions have been drafted during constitutional conventions and adopted by a vote of the people. The state's fourth constitution, which was ratified in 1945, was written and approved by the sixth Constitutional Convention over the course of a year. Since then, there have been at least 119 amendments made to the Constitution. The most recent amendments, four in total, were approved in 2024.
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Voters can call for a constitutional convention every 20 years, but this has never passed
Missouri's constitution has been amended numerous times since its adoption in 1945. The state's constitution is a product of direct democracy, with laws written by senators, representatives, and citizens. Changes to the constitution have been made not only by government action but also by the votes of the people.
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Citizens of Missouri have been given the option to vote for a constitutional convention every 20 years, as per Article XII, which established the amendment process. However, this measure has never passed.
The current constitution, ratified in 1945, is the state's fourth constitution. It was drafted during the sixth Constitutional Convention, which was approved by voters in 1942. Since 1945, there have been at least 119 amendments to the Constitution. The most recent amendments, of which there were four, were approved in 2024.
Amendments to the Missouri Constitution have covered a range of issues, including the legalization of commercial gambling in 1993, the production of human embryos for stem cell research in 2006, and the legalization and regulation of medical marijuana in 2018.
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The first 10 amendments to Missouri's constitution are known as the Bill of Rights
Missouri has had four constitutions in its history since becoming a state in 1821. The current Missouri Constitution, which was ratified in 1945, includes a Bill of Rights that guarantees certain freedoms and rights for the people of Missouri. The first ten amendments to the Missouri Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights and were designed to protect the rights and freedoms of the state's citizens.
The Missouri Constitution can be amended through three different paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, or a state constitutional convention. Amendments require the approval of more than half of Missouri's voters and can address a wide range of topics, including individual rights, governance, and other matters of state law.
The Bill of Rights in the Missouri Constitution safeguards various fundamental freedoms, such as the right to speak and the right to practice religion. It also protects other rights, such as the right to own a gun and the right to farm. One notable aspect of Missouri's constitution-amending process is that it empowers citizens to initiate constitutional amendments directly. The number of signatures required for a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment is based on the number of votes cast in the state's most recent gubernatorial election.
Over the years, Missouri's Constitution has undergone numerous amendments, some of which have been controversial. For instance, in 1993, an amendment legalized commercial gambling. In 2004, Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 prohibited same-sex marriage, while in 2006, another amendment allowed the production of human embryos for stem cell research. More recently, in 2018, Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment legalizing and regulating medical marijuana. The most recent amendments to the Missouri Constitution, totaling four in number, were approved in 2024.
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The constitution has been amended to legalise commercial gambling, stem cell research, and medical marijuana
Missouri's current constitution, the Constitution of 1945, has been amended at least 119 times since its ratification. Some of these amendments have been both controversial and high-profile, including the legalisation of commercial gambling, stem cell research, and medical marijuana.
Commercial gambling was legalised in Missouri in 1993. This was followed by Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 in 2006, which allowed the production of human embryos for stem cell research. More recently, in 2018, voters passed Amendment 2, legalising medical marijuana in the state. This amendment officially enshrined the right of Missouri patients to access medical marijuana safely.
The legalisation of medical marijuana in Missouri followed a series of steps towards cannabis decriminalisation in the state. In 2015, Missouri issued licenses to two non-profits to grow cannabis oil to be sold to patients. Then, in 2017, Kansas City reduced the penalties for simple possession of marijuana, amending local laws to make possession of up to 35 grams of marijuana for adults 21 and older a civil offence punishable by a $25 fine. Finally, in 2018, Amendment 2 passed with 65.5% voter support, legalising and regulating medical marijuana in Missouri.
In 2022, Missouri voters passed Amendment 3, a constitutional ballot measure to legalise and regulate cannabis for adults, ending the failed policy of cannabis prohibition in the state. This amendment further solidified the legal status of medical marijuana in Missouri, ensuring that patients have safe access to this form of medication.
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Frequently asked questions
Missouri's first constitution was amended in 1865 following the end of the Civil War. This second constitution ended the institution of slavery in the state.
Missouri's current constitution, ratified in 1945, has been amended at least 119 times, mostly through popular votes on explicit amendments.
The most recent amendments to Missouri's constitution, of which there were four, were approved in 2024.
Notable amendments to Missouri's constitution include legalizing commercial gambling in the 1990s, allowing the production of human embryos for stem cell research in 2006, and legalizing and regulating medical marijuana in 2018.
