Isabella Carter
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Amendments can be proposed by the Missouri General Assembly, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, or by citizen initiative petition. In the case of the latter, proponents must collect signatures equal to 8% of the gubernatorial vote in two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval, and amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of amendments in 2024 | 4 |
| Total number of constitutional articles | 14 |
| Current constitution adopted | 1945 |
| Total number of senators | 34 |
| Total number of representatives | 163 |
| Number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment | Equal to 8% of the gubernatorial vote in two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts |
| Number of votes required for voter approval | Simple majority |
| Minimum number of votes required in the Missouri House of Representatives | 82 |
| Minimum number of votes required in the Missouri State Senate | 18 |
| Number of branches in Missouri's government | 3 (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial) |
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What You'll Learn
Amendments require a simple majority vote
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Amendments require a simple majority vote for voter approval. This means that more than half of the voters must agree to the change for it to be passed.
In Missouri, 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. Proponents must collect signatures equal to 8% of the gubernatorial vote in two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts. This amounts to a minimum of 82 votes in the Missouri House of Representatives and 18 votes in the Missouri State Senate, assuming no vacancies.
The Missouri Constitution is changed if more than half of the voters agree to it. The laws of Missouri can be written by senators, representatives, and citizens. The first step to making a law is writing a "bill." A senator or representative can write a bill they want to become a law. A smaller group of senators or representatives, called a "committee," then reviews the bill and discusses it. If the committee supports the bill, the entire Senate or House votes on it. If more than half of the Senate or House supports the bill, it goes to the other side of the General Assembly. The Missouri General Assembly then requires a simple majority vote during one legislative session to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The Missouri Constitution's Article XII, "Amending the Constitution," outlines the process for changing the constitution. It is worth noting that Missouri citizens can propose and pass laws too. The Governor can sign a bill into law or veto it. If the Governor vetoes, the bill can still become law if two out of three senators and representatives support it.
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No governor signature needed
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Notably, amendments to the Missouri Constitution do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The Missouri Constitution outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. It is changed if more than half of the voters agree to it. The Missouri Constitution splits the state's government into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The Legislative Branch is called the
The first step to making a law is writing a "bill." A senator or representative can write a bill they want to be a law. A smaller group of senators or representatives, called a "committee," then looks over the bill and discusses it. The committee holds a meeting where citizens and experts can talk about the bill. If enough committee members support the bill, the entire House or Senate then discusses the bill and votes on it. If more than half of the Senate or House supports the bill, the bill then goes to the other side of the General Assembly.
Citizens of Missouri can also propose and pass laws. The governor can sign the bill into law or veto it. If the governor vetoes the bill, it can still become a law if two out of three senators and representatives support the bill. If a Missouri citizen wants to pass a bill, five per cent of Missouri voters must sign a "petition" showing their support. If enough people sign the petition, all Missouri voters vote and decide if the bill should become law.
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Citizen-initiated amendments possible
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three different paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. 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. In two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts, proponents must collect signatures equal to 8% of the gubernatorial vote for initiated constitutional amendments. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
The first step to making a law is writing what is called a "bill." A senator or representative can write a bill that they want to be law. A smaller group of senators or representatives, called a "committee," then looks over the bill and discusses it. The committee holds a meeting where citizens and experts can talk about the bill. If enough committee members support the bill, the whole house or senate then discusses the bill and votes on it. If more than half of the Senate or House supports the bill, the bill then goes to the other side of the General Assembly. 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.
The Missouri Constitution's Bill of Rights gives the people of Missouri important freedoms. For example, the Bill of Rights protects the right to speak and the right to practice religion. It also protects other things like a person’s right to own a gun and right to farm. The Missouri Constitution also has rules about how it can be changed. If a person wants to change the Missouri Constitution, they must get enough voters to support it. The change, or amendment, is then voted on by all the voters of Missouri. The Missouri Constitution is changed if more than half of the voters agree to it. The laws of Missouri can be written by senators, representatives, and even Missouri citizens.
In 2024, the Missouri Senate passed a bill that made it harder for voters to amend the state constitution. The bill required a statewide majority and a majority vote in five of the state’s eight congressional districts to pass a constitutional amendment resulting from an initiative petition or a state convention.
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Senators and representatives can propose amendments
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 serve four-year terms, while representatives serve two-year terms before both groups of politicians are up for reelection. There are 34 senators and 163 representatives in the Missouri General Assembly.
The first step to making a law is writing a "bill." A senator or representative can write a bill they want to become a law. 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 talk about the bill. If enough committee members support the bill, the entire Senate or House considers the bill and votes on it. If more than half of the Senate or House supports the bill, the bill then goes to the other side of the General Assembly. The Governor can sign the bill into law or veto it. If the Governor vetoes the bill, it can still become a law if two out of three senators and representatives support the bill.
In Missouri, 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. In two-thirds of Missouri's congressional districts, proponents must collect signatures equal to 8% of the gubernatorial vote for initiated constitutional amendments. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
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Amendments can be proposed by a state constitutional convention
The Missouri Constitution is the supreme law of the state of Missouri, and it can be amended through three different paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Amendments can be proposed by a state constitutional convention, which is an assembly of elected delegates who meet to discuss and propose changes to the state constitution. This process allows citizens to have a direct say in shaping the laws that govern them.
The Missouri Constitution has a long history of amendments and revisions, dating back to its first adoption in 1820. Since then, Missouri has had four constitutions, with the current one being adopted in 1945. Every twenty years, Missourians are given the opportunity to vote on whether to hold a state constitutional convention to consider amendments. This process is outlined in Article XII of the Missouri Constitution, which is appropriately titled "Amending the Constitution."
The state constitutional convention process allows for a comprehensive review of the constitution and enables delegates to propose a slate of amendments for voter consideration. This was demonstrated in the fifth constitutional convention, held from 1922 to 1923, which proposed 21 amendments, seven of which were ultimately adopted. This process empowers citizens to initiate changes to their state's fundamental document, bypassing the General Assembly and the initiative petition process.
While the majority of proposals for a state constitutional convention have been rejected by voters, the process remains an important tool for democratic participation and constitutional reform in Missouri. It allows citizens to propose and debate a wide range of ideas, from conservative to liberal, and shape the direction of their state's laws and governance. The convention-referred constitutional amendment process is a key feature of Missouri's constitutional framework and a testament to the state's commitment to citizen engagement in law-making.
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Frequently asked questions
A simple majority vote is required for voter approval of amendments to the Missouri Constitution.
Amendments can be proposed by the General Assembly or by the initiative. They are then submitted to the electors for approval or rejection by official ballot title as may be provided by law. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three paths: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. For a citizen-initiated amendment, a person must get enough voters to support the change, and then it is voted on by all the voters of Missouri.
