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Missouri Constitution: Difference between revisions
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{{MOConstitution}}{{TOCnestright}}The | {{MOConstitution}}{{TOCnestright}} | ||
The Missouri Constitution is the fundamental governing document of the state of Missouri. | |||
==Features== | ==Features== | ||
Altogether, the Missouri Constitution has 13 constitutional articles.<ref name="mo"/> The state's current constitution was adopted in 1945 and is the state's fourth constitution. | Altogether, the Missouri Constitution has 13 constitutional articles.<ref name="mo"/> The state's current constitution was adopted in 1945 and is the state's fourth constitution. | ||
Since 1962, Missourians have been asked every twenty years if they would like to convene a [[state constitutional conventions|constitutional convention]] to revise the constitution; each time, a | Since 1962, Missourians have been asked every twenty years if they would like to convene a [[state constitutional conventions|constitutional convention]] to revise the constitution; each time, a majority of the state's voters have rejected the proposal.<ref>[http://www.iandrinstitute.org/New%20IRI%20Website%20Info/I&R%20Research%20and%20History/I&R%20at%20the%20Statewide%20Level/Constitution%20and%20Statutes/Missouri.pdf ''I and R Institute.org'', "Missouri Constitution," accessed March 30, 2014]</ref> | ||
==Background== | |||
{{MOConstitutionHistory}} | |||
==Preamble== | ==Preamble== | ||
:: ''See also: [[Preambles to state constitutions]]'' | :: ''See also: [[Preamble, Missouri Constitution]] and [[Preambles to state constitutions]]'' | ||
The preamble of the Missouri Constitution states: | The preamble of the Missouri Constitution states: | ||
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==[[Article I, Missouri Constitution|Article I: Bill of Rights]]== | ==[[Article I, Missouri Constitution|Article I: Bill of Rights]]== | ||
::''See also: [[Article I, Missouri Constitution]]'' | |||
Article I of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Bill of Rights" and consists of 35 sections.<ref name="mo"/> | Article I of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Bill of Rights" and consists of 35 sections.<ref name="mo"/> | ||
==[[Article II, Missouri Constitution|Article II: Distribution of Powers]]== | [[Article I, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | ||
Article II of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Distribution of Powers" and consists of a single section.<ref name="mo"/> | |||
==[[Article II, Missouri Constitution|Article II: The Distribution of Powers]]== | |||
::''See also: [[Article II, Missouri Constitution]]'' | |||
Article II of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "The Distribution of Powers" and consists of a single section.<ref name="mo"/> | |||
[[Article II, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | |||
==[[Article III, Missouri Constitution|Article III: Legislative Department]]== | ==[[Article III, Missouri Constitution|Article III: Legislative Department]]== | ||
Article III of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Legislative Department" and consists of | ::''See also: [[Article III, Missouri Constitution]]'' | ||
Article III of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Legislative Department" and consists of 53 sections.<ref name="mo"/> | |||
[[Article III, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | |||
==[[Article IV, Missouri Constitution|Article IV: Executive Department]]== | ==[[Article IV, Missouri Constitution|Article IV: Executive Department]]== | ||
Article IV of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Executive Department" and consists of | ::''See also: [[Article IV, Missouri Constitution]]'' | ||
Article IV of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Executive Department" and consists of 53 sections.<ref name="mo"/> | |||
[[Article IV, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | |||
==[[Article V, Missouri Constitution|Article V: Judicial Department]]== | ==[[Article V, Missouri Constitution|Article V: Judicial Department]]== | ||
Article V of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Judicial Department" and consists of | ::''See also: [[Article V, Missouri Constitution]]'' | ||
Article V of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Judicial Department" and consists of 27 sections.<ref name="mo"/> | |||
[[Article V, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | |||
==[[Article VI, Missouri Constitution|Article VI:Local Government]]== | ==[[Article VI, Missouri Constitution|Article VI: Local Government]]== | ||
Article VI of the Missouri Constitution is entitled Local Government and consists | ::''See also: [[Article VI, Missouri Constitution]]'' | ||
Article VI of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Local Government" and consists of 33 sections.<ref name="mo"/> | |||
[[Article VI, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | |||
==[[Article VII, Missouri Constitution|Article VII: Public Officers]]== | ==[[Article VII, Missouri Constitution|Article VII: Public Officers]]== | ||
::''See also: [[Article VII, Missouri Constitution]]'' | |||
Article VII of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Public Officers" and consists of 14 sections.<ref name="mo"/> | Article VII of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Public Officers" and consists of 14 sections.<ref name="mo"/> | ||
[[Article VII, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | |||
==[[Article VIII, Missouri Constitution|Article VIII: Suffrage and Elections]]== | ==[[Article VIII, Missouri Constitution|Article VIII: Suffrage and Elections]]== | ||
Article VIII of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Suffrage and Elections" | ::''See also: [[Article VIII, Missouri Constitution]]'' | ||
Article VIII of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Suffrage and Elections."<ref name="mo"/> | |||
[[Article VIII, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | |||
==[[Article IX, Missouri Constitution|Article IX: Education]]== | ==[[Article IX, Missouri Constitution|Article IX: Education]]== | ||
::''See also: [[Article IX, Missouri Constitution]]'' | |||
Article IX of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Education" and consists of 10 sections.<ref name="mo"/> | Article IX of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Education" and consists of 10 sections.<ref name="mo"/> | ||
[[Article IX, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | |||
==[[Article X, Missouri Constitution|Article X: Taxation]]== | ==[[Article X, Missouri Constitution|Article X: Taxation]]== | ||
Article X of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Taxation" and consists of | ::''See also: [[Article X, Missouri Constitution]]'' | ||
Article X of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Taxation" and consists of 26 sections.<ref name="mo"/> | |||
[[Article X, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | |||
==[[Article XI, Missouri Constitution|Article XI: Corporations]]== | ==[[Article XI, Missouri Constitution|Article XI: Corporations]]== | ||
::''See also [[Article XI, Missouri Constitution]] | |||
Article XI of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Corporations" and consists of 13 sections. | |||
[[Article XI, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | |||
==[[Article XII, Missouri Constitution | Article XII: Amending the Constitution]]== | |||
::''See also: [[Article XII, Missouri Constitution]]'' | |||
Article XII of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Amending the Constitution" and consists of six sections. | |||
[[Article XII, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | |||
==[[Article | ==[[Article XIII, Missouri Constitution|Article XIII: Public Employees]]== | ||
::''See also: [[Article XIII, Missouri Constitution]]'' | |||
Article XIII of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Public Employees" and consists of three sections. | |||
[[Article XIII, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | |||
==[[Article XIV, Missouri Constitution|Article XIV: Medical Marijuana]]== | |||
::''See also: [[Article XIV, Missouri Constitution]] | |||
Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Medical Cannabis" and consists of one section. | |||
[[Article XIV, Missouri Constitution | Click here]] to read this article of the Missouri Constitution. | |||
==Amending the constitution== | |||
::''See also: [[Article XII, Missouri Constitution]] and [[Laws governing the initiative process in Missouri]]'' | ::''See also: [[Article XII, Missouri Constitution]] and [[Laws governing the initiative process in Missouri]]'' | ||
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* [[Legislatively-referred constitutional amendment]]s. Either chamber of the [[Missouri State Legislature]] is allowed to propose an amendment. A majority of members of both chambers must approve it; if they do, the proposed amendment goes on a statewide ballot for a popular vote of the people where if a simple majority approves it, it becomes part of the constitution. | * [[Legislatively-referred constitutional amendment]]s. Either chamber of the [[Missouri State Legislature]] is allowed to propose an amendment. A majority of members of both chambers must approve it; if they do, the proposed amendment goes on a statewide ballot for a popular vote of the people where if a simple majority approves it, it becomes part of the constitution. | ||
* [[Initiated constitutional amendment]]s. These are discussed in [[Article III, Missouri Constitution#Section 49|Sections 49]], [[Article III, Missouri Constitution#Section 50|50]], [[Article III, Missouri Constitution#Section 51|51]] and [[Article III, Missouri Constitution#Section 53|53]] of [[Article III, Missouri Constitution|Article III]]. The number of signatures required for an {{icafull}} to go on the [[:Category:Missouri ballot measures|Missouri ballot]] is based on how many electors voted for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election, with a | * [[Initiated constitutional amendment]]s. These are discussed in [[Article III, Missouri Constitution#Section 49|Sections 49]], [[Article III, Missouri Constitution#Section 50|50]], [[Article III, Missouri Constitution#Section 51|51]] and [[Article III, Missouri Constitution#Section 53|53]] of [[Article III, Missouri Constitution|Article III]]. The number of signatures required for an {{icafull}} to go on the [[:Category:Missouri ballot measures|Missouri ballot]] is based on how many electors voted for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election, with a [[distribution requirement]] included in addition to the basic requirement (see [[Missouri signature requirements]]). | ||
* Through a [[state constitutional conventions|constitutional convention]] as established in [[Article XII, Missouri Constitution#Section 3(a)|Section 3a of Article XII]]. A question about whether to hold a constitutional convention is to [[Automatic ballot referral|automatically]] appear on the state's ballot every twenty years. The | * Through a [[state constitutional conventions|constitutional convention]] as established in [[Article XII, Missouri Constitution#Section 3(a)|Section 3a of Article XII]]. A question about whether to hold a constitutional convention is to [[Automatic ballot referral|automatically]] appear on the state's ballot every twenty years. The automatic referrals were on the ballot in 1962, [[Missouri Measure 9 (1982)|1982]] and [[Missouri Constitutional Convention (2002)|2002]].<ref>[http://www.sos.mo.gov/news.asp?id=228 ''Calling constitutional conventions: Missouri's best-kept secret]</ref> The next referral will be in 2022. In 1942, under an older version of the Missouri Constitution, voters were asked about having a constitutional convention and said "Yes." It was that convention that led to the Missouri Constitution of 1945, the state's current constitution. | ||
Votes on proposed amendments can take place at a general election or a special election. | Votes on proposed amendments can take place at a general election or a special election. | ||
A unique feature of Missouri's law governing constitutional amendments is a provision in [[Article XII, Missouri Constitution#Section 2(b)|Section 2(b) of Article XII]] saying that proposed amendments should be published if possible "in two newspapers of different political faith in each county." | A unique feature of Missouri's law governing constitutional amendments is a provision in [[Article XII, Missouri Constitution#Section 2(b)|Section 2(b) of Article XII]] saying that proposed amendments should be published if possible "in two newspapers of different political faith in each county." | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Missouri's first | Missouri's first constitution was drafted in 1820 in 38 days.<ref name="voice">[http://www.metrovoice.net/www.metrovoice.net/2002/1102stlweb/1102articles/HistoryOfMissouri.html ''Metro Voice'', "The History of Missouri’s Constitution," accessed March 30, 2014]</ref> A constitutional convention resulted in the state's second constitution, and the third was drafted 10 years later. Missouri's fourth constitution was drafted in 1942 and ratified in 1945. This constitution provided for three branches of government: legislative (the [[Missouri General Assembly]]), executive (the [[Governor of Missouri]]) and judicial (the Missouri Supreme Court). The Constitution of 1945 is the current constitution.<ref>[http://library.umkc.edu/spec-col-collections/missouri-constitution ''University of Missouri - Kansas City Libraries'', "LaBudde Special Collections, Missouri Constitution Collection," accessed May 9, 2014]</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{submit a link}} | {{submit a link}} | ||
* [ | * [http://revisor.mo.gov/main/Home.aspx?constit=y ''Missouri General Assembly'', "Missouri Constitution"] | ||
* [http://www.civilwarmo.org/educators/resources/info-sheets/constitution-1865-drake-constitution ''The Missouri History Museum'', "The Constitution of 1865 - Drake Constitution"] | |||
* [http://www.civilwarmo.org/educators/resources/info-sheets/constitution-1865-drake-constitution ''The | |||
* [http://www.thegreenpapers.com/slg/st.phtml?state=MO#con ''Green Papers'', "Historical overview of the Missouri Constitution"] | * [http://www.thegreenpapers.com/slg/st.phtml?state=MO#con ''Green Papers'', "Historical overview of the Missouri Constitution"] | ||
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxGCVdEmEbI ''YouTube'', "Missouri Constitution"] | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxGCVdEmEbI ''YouTube'', "Missouri Constitution"] | ||
==Footnotes== | ==Footnotes== | ||
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[[Category:Constitution articles by state]] | [[Category:Constitution articles by state]] | ||
[[Category: Missouri Constitution]] | |||
Revision as of 00:37, 29 April 2021
| Missouri Constitution |
|---|
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| Preamble |
| Articles |
| I • II • III • IV • V • VI • VII • VIII • IX • X • XI • XII • XIII • XIV |
The Missouri Constitution is the fundamental governing document of the state of Missouri.
Features
Altogether, the Missouri Constitution has 13 constitutional articles.[1] The state's current constitution was adopted in 1945 and is the state's fourth constitution.
Since 1962, Missourians have been asked every twenty years if they would like to convene a constitutional convention to revise the constitution; each time, a majority of the state's voters have rejected the proposal.[2]
Background
- The current Missouri Constitution was adopted in 1945.
- Missouri has had four state constitutions.
- The current state constitution has 14 articles.
- The current Missouri Constitution has been amended 126 times.[3][4]
- The most recent amendments to the Missouri Constitution, of which there were four, were approved in 2024.
Preamble
The preamble of the Missouri Constitution states:
Article I: Bill of Rights
- See also: Article I, Missouri Constitution
Article I of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Bill of Rights" and consists of 35 sections.[1]
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Article II: The Distribution of Powers
- See also: Article II, Missouri Constitution
Article II of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "The Distribution of Powers" and consists of a single section.[1]
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Article III: Legislative Department
- See also: Article III, Missouri Constitution
Article III of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Legislative Department" and consists of 53 sections.[1]
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Article IV: Executive Department
- See also: Article IV, Missouri Constitution
Article IV of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Executive Department" and consists of 53 sections.[1]
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Article V: Judicial Department
- See also: Article V, Missouri Constitution
Article V of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Judicial Department" and consists of 27 sections.[1]
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Article VI: Local Government
- See also: Article VI, Missouri Constitution
Article VI of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Local Government" and consists of 33 sections.[1]
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Article VII: Public Officers
- See also: Article VII, Missouri Constitution
Article VII of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Public Officers" and consists of 14 sections.[1]
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Article VIII: Suffrage and Elections
- See also: Article VIII, Missouri Constitution
Article VIII of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Suffrage and Elections."[1]
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Article IX: Education
- See also: Article IX, Missouri Constitution
Article IX of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Education" and consists of 10 sections.[1]
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Article X: Taxation
- See also: Article X, Missouri Constitution
Article X of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Taxation" and consists of 26 sections.[1]
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Article XI: Corporations
- See also Article XI, Missouri Constitution
Article XI of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Corporations" and consists of 13 sections.
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Article XII: Amending the Constitution
- See also: Article XII, Missouri Constitution
Article XII of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Amending the Constitution" and consists of six sections.
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Article XIII: Public Employees
- See also: Article XIII, Missouri Constitution
Article XIII of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Public Employees" and consists of three sections.
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Article XIV: Medical Marijuana
- See also: Article XIV, Missouri Constitution
Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution is entitled "Medical Cannabis" and consists of one section.
Click here to read this article of the Missouri Constitution.
Amending the constitution
The Missouri Constitution can be amended via three different paths:
- Legislatively-referred constitutional amendments. Either chamber of the Missouri State Legislature is allowed to propose an amendment. A majority of members of both chambers must approve it; if they do, the proposed amendment goes on a statewide ballot for a popular vote of the people where if a simple majority approves it, it becomes part of the constitution.
- Initiated constitutional amendments. These are discussed in Sections 49, 50, 51 and 53 of Article III. The number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment to go on the Missouri ballot is based on how many electors voted for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election, with a distribution requirement included in addition to the basic requirement (see Missouri signature requirements).
- Through a constitutional convention as established in Section 3a of Article XII. A question about whether to hold a constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every twenty years. The automatic referrals were on the ballot in 1962, 1982 and 2002.[5] The next referral will be in 2022. In 1942, under an older version of the Missouri Constitution, voters were asked about having a constitutional convention and said "Yes." It was that convention that led to the Missouri Constitution of 1945, the state's current constitution.
Votes on proposed amendments can take place at a general election or a special election.
A unique feature of Missouri's law governing constitutional amendments is a provision in Section 2(b) of Article XII saying that proposed amendments should be published if possible "in two newspapers of different political faith in each county."
History
Missouri's first constitution was drafted in 1820 in 38 days.[6] A constitutional convention resulted in the state's second constitution, and the third was drafted 10 years later. Missouri's fourth constitution was drafted in 1942 and ratified in 1945. This constitution provided for three branches of government: legislative (the Missouri General Assembly), executive (the Governor of Missouri) and judicial (the Missouri Supreme Court). The Constitution of 1945 is the current constitution.[7]
See also
- State constitution
- Constitutional article
- Constitutional amendment
- Constitutional revision
- Constitutional convention
- Amendments
External links
- Missouri General Assembly, "Missouri Constitution"
- The Missouri History Museum, "The Constitution of 1865 - Drake Constitution"
- Green Papers, "Historical overview of the Missouri Constitution"
- YouTube, "Missouri Constitution"
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Missouri General Assembly, "Missouri Constitution," accessed March 30, 2014
- ↑ I and R Institute.org, "Missouri Constitution," accessed March 30, 2014
- ↑ Missouri Legislative Academy, "Constitutional Amendments, Statutory Revision and Referenda Submitted to the Voters by the General Assembly or by Initiative Petition, 1910–2010," accessed July 4, 2017
- ↑ This number was calculated by taking the total amendments approved from 1910 through 2010, subtracting amendments adopted prior to 1945 (the year the current constitution was adopted), and adding amendments adopted after 2010.
- ↑ Calling constitutional conventions: Missouri's best-kept secret
- ↑ Metro Voice, "The History of Missouri’s Constitution," accessed March 30, 2014
- ↑ University of Missouri - Kansas City Libraries, "LaBudde Special Collections, Missouri Constitution Collection," accessed May 9, 2014
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