
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of Missouri, USA. It was adopted in 1945 and is the fourth and current Missouri Constitution. The Missouri Constitution provides for three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The executive branch is run by the Governor, who is elected by Missouri voters and holds office for four years. The constitution outlines the duties and powers of the governor, including signing bills into law, controlling the rate of expenditures, and acting as commander-in-chief of the militia. It also establishes the roles of other executive officials, such as the lieutenant governor, state auditor, and secretary of state. The Missouri Constitution has undergone several amendments, with at least 119 amendments made since 1945, and it continues to be the supreme law formulating the law and government of Missouri.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Missouri Constitution | Formulates the law and government of Missouri |
| Adopted in 1945 | |
| Provides for three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial | |
| Executive Branch | Run by the Governor |
| Governor is elected by Missouri voters | |
| Governor signs bills into law | |
| Governor serves for four years | |
| Governor controls the rate and reduction of expenditures | |
| Governor has the power of partial veto of appropriation bills | |
| Governor has the power of appointment to fill vacancies | |
| Lieutenant governor as second-in-command |
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What You'll Learn

Governor's role and duties
The Missouri Constitution, adopted in 1945, is the supreme law that outlines the state's government and legal system. It establishes three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The Governor of Missouri, elected by popular vote, heads the executive branch.
The Governor of Missouri is the chief executive officer of the state and is responsible for ensuring the laws passed by the legislative branch are enforced. The governor is elected for a four-year term and can serve up to two consecutive terms. To be eligible for the office, one must be at least 30 years old, a US citizen for 15 years or more, and a resident of Missouri for at least 10 years.
The governor's primary role is to sign bills into law and ensure their implementation. Additionally, the governor holds a position on various boards and commissions, such as the Board of Public Buildings and the State Board of Fund Commissioners. The governor also serves as the commander-in-chief of the Missouri National Guard, the state's militia.
The governor has the power to appoint members to all boards and commissions, as well as fill vacancies in public offices, unless otherwise provided by law. This includes appointing board members to Missouri's state universities and colleges. The governor also has budgetary responsibilities, including submitting a budget proposal to the legislature within 30 days of the start of each session and controlling the rate and reduction of state expenditures.
Furthermore, the governor has the authority to grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons, with certain limitations outlined in the constitution. They can also send messages and recommendations to the General Assembly, the legislative branch, and call for extra sessions. The governor's powers and duties are outlined in Article IV, Sections 1-11 of the Missouri Constitution.
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Qualifications of governor
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the U.S. state of Missouri. Missouri's Executive Branch is run by the Governor, 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 Governor is commander-in-chief of the state's militia, the Missouri National Guard. They also have the power to control the rate and reduce expenditures, with notification to the General Assembly. The Governor's budget and recommendations on revenue are also key aspects of their role, although proposed legislation that is not enacted cannot be included in the projection of new revenues.
The Missouri Constitution outlines the qualifications for the Governor, which include being elected by the people of Missouri. The Governor must also be at least 30 years old and have been a US citizen for 15 years. They must also have been a resident of Missouri for 10 years before being elected.
The Lieutenant Governor is second-in-command and succeeds the Governor in the event of death, resignation, or removal from office. The Lieutenant Governor must meet the same qualifications as the Governor.
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Powers of appointment
The Missouri Constitution, which is the supreme law formulating the law and government of Missouri, was first written in 1820 and has been amended several times since. The current constitution was ratified in 1945 and has had at least 119 amendments since.
The Missouri Constitution divides the state government into three branches: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The Executive Branch is headed by the Governor, who is elected by Missouri voters and serves a four-year term. The Governor has the power to appoint officials to fill vacancies, as outlined in Section 12 of Article IV of the Missouri Constitution.
The Governor is not alone in the Executive Branch; Missouri's executive branch consists of more than 20 officials, including both elected and appointed members. The elected positions include the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, and attorney general. The other 16 positions are appointed by the governor or a commission. The appointed positions include the director of the Department of Revenue, the director of the Department of Natural Resources, the director of the Department of Public Safety, and the commissioner of the Office of Administration.
The Governor's power of appointment is not unlimited, however. Section 12 of Article IV of the Missouri Constitution outlines the tenure of appointees, and Section 17 places limitations on the reelection of elective state officers and the qualifications of appointive officers. Additionally, Section 53 prohibits discrimination based on race, creed, colour, or national origin in appointments.
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Commissions of state officers
Missouri's Constitution, the supreme law of the state, outlines the state's government structure, including the executive branch. Article IV of the Missouri Constitution, also known as the Executive Department, details the roles and responsibilities of the executive branch, including the governor, who is the head of the state's executive branch.
The Commissions of State Officers is addressed in Section 5 of Article IV of the Missouri Constitution. This section outlines the process of commissioning state officers and the role of the governor in this process.
According to this section, the governor holds the power to commission all officers unless otherwise specified by law. The commissions are issued under the name of the state and bear the governor's signature, the state's seal, and the attestation of the secretary of state.
The specific duties and qualifications of various state officers, such as the state auditor, secretary of state, and state treasurer, are outlined in subsequent sections of Article IV. These officers work closely with the governor and play crucial roles in the state's administration and governance.
The Missouri Constitution also provides guidelines for the appointment of administrative heads and prohibits discrimination based on race, creed, colour, or national origin in appointments. It establishes the process for filling vacancies and the tenure of appointees, ensuring a smooth transition and qualified personnel in state offices.
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Commander in chief of militia
Missouri's Constitution outlines the state's government structure, which includes the executive branch, led by the governor. The governor is elected by Missouri voters and holds office for a term of four years.
One of the governor's critical roles as outlined in the Missouri Constitution is serving as the "Commander in Chief of the Militia." This authority is granted under Article IV, Section 6 of the Missouri Constitution, which addresses the Executive Department.
As the Commander in Chief of the Militia, the governor has the power to call upon and lead the state's militia. This authority is typically exercised during times of emergency or when necessary to enforce the state's laws, suppress insurrections, or repel invasions. The governor's role as commander-in-chief is similar to that of the President of the United States as the nation's commander-in-chief.
Historically, the Missouri State Militia has played a significant role during periods of conflict, such as the American Civil War. In 1861, Provisional Governor Hamilton Rowan Gamble agreed with President Abraham Lincoln to establish a new full-time state militia. This militia was equipped and financed by the federal government but remained under the control of the Missouri governor, who appointed its officers. The Missouri State Militia worked in cooperation with Federal commanders and was primarily tasked with addressing Confederate guerrillas and recruiters within the state.
The Missouri State Militia was active throughout the Civil War, and their efforts helped establish Federal control of Missouri. They were effective in confronting guerrillas, recruiters, and raiders, driving them out of the state. The militia was also praised for its drill, discipline, and efficiency by General John M. Schofield, who later became the General-in-Chief of the United States Army.
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Frequently asked questions
The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the U.S. State of Missouri. It outlines the state's law and government, and is subject only to the federal Constitution and the people.
Missouri's government is split into three branches: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
The Legislative Branch is called the General Assembly, and is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Executive Branch is run by the Governor, who is elected by Missouri voters. The Governor signs bills into law and ensures the rules within those laws are followed.
The Governor holds office for four years and then has to run for reelection.





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