Missouri Constitution!!!

What makes Missouri Run?

How is this going to work???

• The notes are going to be broken up into 3 sections.– 1 for each branch of government

• It might be beneficial to do these notes right on your study guide to help prepare for the final!!

• After each section we will be taking an online poll using text messages at www.polleverywhere.com

• So pay attention and be ready to answer!!!

Executive Branch

But we don’t have a President?!?!?!

Who is in charge???

• Just like the U.S. government is lead by the President, the Missouri Governor serves as the head of the Missouri Government– Missouri’s governor: Jay Nixon

Who can be the governor?

• Qualifications:– 30 years of age– U.S. citizen for at least 15 years– Missouri resident for 10 years

• Unofficially:– All Missouri governors have also been white males

• Governor then serves a 4 year term

What does the Governor do?

• Powers of the governor:– Administer laws– Appoints and removes officials– Ceremonial Head of State– Liaison with federal government

Also….

• Powers (cont.)– Recommends laws and budgets– Signs or vetoes bills• Line item veto

– Calls special sessions of the legislature– Commands the Missouri National Guard– Grants pardons, reprieves, or commutations• What is a pardon or reprieve???

– definition

Is the Governor the only Executive officer??

• Along with the governor there are 5 other elected Executives in Missouri:

(save space after each)– 1. Lieutenant Governor– 2. Secretary of State– 3. State Auditor– 4. State Treasurer– 5. Attorney General

Lieutenant Governor

• Same qualifications as the governor!• Serves a 4 year term• Powers:– Ceremonial head of state (when needed)– President of the Senate– Next in line to succeed Governor– Acting governor when needed– Volunteer coordinator– Ombudsman?????

• definition

Secretary of State

• 4 year term• Qualifications:– Must be a Missouri resident for 1 year

MeetRobin Carnahan!!!

Functions of the S.O.S.?

• Serves as the chief elections official• Compiles, stores, and publishes, all state

documents• Keeper of the Great Seal of Missouri!

Elections!!!

• Two types of election (like before!)– 1. General Election:• The official voting process for elected officials

– November 2nd, every 2 years

– 2. Primary Election• Elections done within parties to determine candidates

for general elections

What do I have to do to vote???

• In order to register to vote, an individual must be:

• A citizen of the United States;• A resident of the State of Missouri; and• 17 years and 6 months of age (must be 18 by

Election Day).

• That means you can vote in the next election!!

State Auditor

• 4 year term• With the same qualifications as the Governor• Role:– Determines if tax dollars are being spent

“efficiently, economically, and legally”

State Treasurer

• Must be a Missouri resident for 1 year• 4 year term• May only serve for 2 terms• Manages the state’s money!• Directs the state’s banking and investment

services• Clint Zweifel– lost???

Attorney General

• 4 year term• Must be an attorney in Jefferson City, MO

during his term• Serves as the Attorney for the state of

Missouri– Represents all legal interests of the state

Executive Departments• 1. Office of Administrations• 2. Department of Agriculture• 3. Department of Conservation• 4. Department of Corrections• 5. Department of Economic Development• 6. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education• 7. Department of Health• 8. Department of Higher Education• 9. Department of Insurance• 10. Department of Labor & Industrial Relations• 11. Department of Mental Health• 12. Department of Natural Resources• 13. Department of Public Services• 14. Department of Revenue• 15. Department of Social Services• 16. Department of Transportation• And over 350 boards and commissions

Poll time!!!

Legislative Branch

We have a Congress too!!!

Missouri General Assembly

• Just like Congress, Missouri General Assembly has two houses (who would have thought?)– 1. Missouri Senate– 2. House of Representatives

Purpose of General Assembly

• Serve as the Legislative part of Missouri Government– Create laws

• The Missouri version of the U.S. Congress

Missouri Senate

• 34 members• Serving 4 year terms• Led by the President of the Senate– Lieutenant Governor

• Qualifications of Members:– 30 years of age– Must be qualified voters in their district for 1 year– Must have lived in the state for 3 years

Missouri House of Representatives

• 163 members• Serving 2 year terms (max of 4 terms)• Led by the Speaker of the House• Qualifications:– 24 years of age– Must be qualified voters in their district for 1 year– Resident of the state for 2 years

How are districts determined???

• Each Senate district has 1 vote– About 150,000 people per Senator

• All representation is determined by population!– Census!!! (every 10 years)

• After every census, district lines are reapportioned (redrawn)– Missouri is notoriously bad at this!!!

Missouri Senatorial Districts

Can only Legislators propose laws??

NO!

POWER OF THE PEOPLE!!!

• Initiative:– A process used to create and pass laws using a

number of signatures from the voters of Missouri• Must be 8 percent of the legal voters in no less than

2/3 of districts

• Referendum:– A referendum may be proposed by either a

petition of not less than 5 percent of legal voters or by General Assembly

How does a Bill become a Law?

• Simply put…..

It’s the same process as the

U.S. Congress!!!!Save for the Governor replacing the President….

Poll time again!!!!!

Judicial Branch!!

But this has gone SOOO LONG!!!

Missouri Supreme Court

• 7 judges• 12 year terms• How are judges selected??– Missouri Plan

• Under the plan, the Appellate Judicial Commission submits the names of three applicants to the Governor. If the Governor fails to make a nomination, the Commission shall make the appointment. Once the judge has served for at least a year, he or she will be placed on the general election ballot for a retention vote of the people. If retained, judges serve a term of 12 years.

What topics can they decide on?

• The validity of a United States statute or treaty.

• The validity of a Missouri statute or constitutional provision.

• The state's revenue laws.• Challenges to a statewide elected official's

right to hold office.• Imposition of the death penalty.

Is there only a Supreme Court?

• Great Question!– Why not at all!!!– There are 3 different levels of courts in Missouri• 1. Supreme Court

– Hears appeals from lower courts or transfers from Appeals Court

• 2. Court of Appeals– Only serves appeals from lower courts

• 3. Circuit Courts– Serves criminal trials

Well what about courts like Judge Judy?

• Municipal Court:– Traffic courts, housing courts, etc.

• Small Claims Court:– Only can file a claim against someone who owes

you money!• THIS IS JUDGE JUDY’S COURT!!!

Now what if someone is charged with a crime?

• What kind of jury do they get?– Grand jury:• A grand jury is a type of jury that determines whether

there is enough evidence for a trial

– Trial jury:• A jury trial (or trial by jury) is a legal proceeding in

which a jury either makes a decision or makes findings of fact which are then applied by a judge.

What if I get a call to be a juror?

• Well you have to be 21 years old• Have to be a resident of the County you live in• But!– You do not have to be a registered voter!!!

Last but not least….Poll Time!!!!