Missouri Require Classrooms to Display the Ten Commandments Initiative (2026)

Missouri Require Classrooms to Display the Ten Commandments Initiative
Election date November 3, 2026
Topic Religion in public schools
Status Cleared for signature gathering
Type Initiated constitutional amendment	Origin Citizens

The Missouri Require Classrooms to Display the Ten Commandments Initiative may appear on the ballot in Missouri as an initiated constitutional amendment on November 3, 2026.

The initiative would amend the Missouri Constitution to:

• require public elementary and secondary schools to display a copy of the Ten Commandments that is at least 11 by 17 inches in size in each classroom;
• authorize the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to set rules for the maintenance of displays and permit use of public funds or private donations;
• allow display of other historical or civic documents alongside the Ten Commandments; and
• declare that such displays shall not be considered an establishment of religion.

Text of measure

Constitutional changes

See also: Article IX, Missouri Constitution

The measure would add a Section 11 to Article IX of the Missouri Constitution. The following underline text would be added:

Note: Hover over the text and scroll to see the full text.

Section 11. 1. The people find that the Ten Commandments have played a significant role in the history of law and moral thought and are often referenced in the development of legal and civic traditions. The purpose of this section is to acknowledge that historical influence and to reinforce widely recognized civic values such as honesty, respect for persons and property, personal responsibility, and the rule of law. This section is intended to serve a secular educational purpose and shall not be construed to endorse or establish any religion, nor to require adherence to any religious doctrine.

2. Each public elementary and secondary school classroom in this state shall display, in a prominent location, a durable and legible copy of the Ten Commandments, as set forth in subsection 4, printed or inscribed on paper, parchment, or other surface not less than eleven inches by seventeen inches (11" × 17") in size. The display shall be kept in clean and legible condition.

3. Text of the Ten Commandments. For purposes of this section, the Ten Commandments shall be displayed in the following form:

The Ten Commandments
I. You shall have no other gods before me.
II. You shall not make for yourself an idol.
III. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
IV. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
V. Honor your father and your mother.
VI. You shall not murder.
VII. You shall not commit adultery.
VIII. You shall not steal.
IX. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
X. You shall not covet.

4. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall adopt rules to implement this section, including standards for uniformity, placement, and maintenance of displays. Public schools may accept private donations of compliant displays, may purchase such displays using public funds, and may create their own displays if they meet the requirements of this section.

5. A school district may display, alongside the Ten Commandments, other historical or civic documents such as the preamble to the Missouri Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, or the Magna Carta, provided the presentation is consistent with the secular and educational intent of this section.

6. No student shall be required to read, recite, or affirm the Ten Commandments. No person shall be evaluated, disciplined, or rewarded on the basis of adherence to any religious belief or practice.

7. Notwithstanding any other provision of this constitution, the display required and authorized by this section, together with any explanatory statement or companion documents permitted herein, shall not be deemed an establishment of religion, public aid in support of any church, sect, or denomination, or a preference for or discrimination against any religious faith or form of worship.

8. If any part of this section or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remaining parts or applications shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.

9. This section shall take effect August 1, 2027.

Full text

The full text of the measure is available here.

Path to the ballot

Process in Missouri

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Missouri

An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Missouri, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is based on the number of votes cast for 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 requirements to get an initiated constitutional amendment certified for the 2026 ballot:

• Signatures: The smallest possible requirement is 185,152 valid signatures. The actual requirement depends on the congressional districts in which signatures are collected.
• Deadline: The deadline to submit signatures is May 3, 2026.

Stages of this ballot initiative

The following is the timeline of the initiative:

• October 8, 2025: The initiative was filed by Mark Johnson and cleared for signature gathering by the Secretary of State.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Missouri

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Missouri.

How to vote in Missouri

Poll times

In Missouri, all polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time. Anyone in line when the polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in Missouri, one must be 18 years old, a United States citizen, and Missouri resident. Individuals who are 17 years and six months old may pre-register to vote but cannot vote until they turn 18. An applicant may print an application, pick one up from a county clerk's office, or request that an application be mailed. They may also register in person at the office of their local election authority, at a driver's licensing office, at some state agencies, or at a library. The completed application must be returned by mail. All returned applications must be postmarked by the fourth Wednesday before Election Day in order to be processed. An applicant may also register to vote online.

Automatic registration

See also: Automatic voter registration

Missouri does not practice automatic voter registration.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Missouri has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

See also: Same-day voter registration

Missouri does not allow same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in Missouri, you must be a resident of the state. State law does not specify the length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible. Voters may file change-of-address forms after the registration deadline, up to and including Election Day, provided that they can present photo identification upon doing so.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Missouri does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Six states — Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring individuals provide proof of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. Two states, Georgia and Mississippi, require a person provide proof of citizenship if their citizenship status cannot be verified by other means. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The Missouri Secretary of State's office allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Missouri requires voters to present photo identification while voting.

The following were accepted forms of identification as of November 2025. Click here for the Missouri Secretary of State's page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

“

Voters can present the following forms of information: A nonexpired Missouri driver or non-driver license; A nonexpired military ID, including a veteran’s ID card; A nonexpired United States passport; or Another photo ID issued by the United States or the state of Missouri which is either not expired or expired after the date of the most recent general election.

”

To view Missouri state law pertaining to voter identification, click here.

If a voter does not have an ID, he or she can obtain one for free at a Missouri Department of Revenue driver's license office. For more information, fill out this form, call 573-526-8683, or visit the Missouri Department of Revenue's website.

See also

2026 ballot measures

View other measures certified for the 2026 ballot across the U.S. and in Missouri.

• 2026 ballot measures
• Missouri 2026 ballot measures
• Missouri elections, 2026

Missouri ballot measures

Explore Missouri's ballot measure history, including citizen-initiated ballot measures.

• List of Missouri ballot measures
• Missouri Historical Ballot Measures Factbook
• Religion in public schools ballot measures
• Missouri State Legislature

Initiative process

Understand how measures are placed on the ballot and the rules that apply.

• Laws governing the initiative process in Missouri
• Initiated constitutional amendment
• Missouri Constitution
• Amending state constitutions

External links

• Full Text of Initiative

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