Missouri constitution
All bills must begin with the wording:
"Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, ..."
Initiative
- The people can propose new laws -Don't need action by Gen. Assy. or Gov. - propose an amendment to the Constitution a petition must be signed by 8% of the voters in each 2/3 of the state's 8 congressional districts. -Petitions proposing new laws need signatures of 5% of such voters. -Petitions must be filed with the Secretary of State at least 4 months before the next election.
Eminent domain
-"Taking" must be for public use -Today's debate is over public vs. private use -Kelo v. City of New London -Centene - Jury trial as to "just compensation"
Treason
-Consists only in levying war or in adhering to Missouri's enemies giving them aid and comfort; -No person can be convicted of treason, unless -Testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or - confession in open court
A new judge serves for ______ before facing a retention election.
1 year
Number of years that pass between redrawing legislative district boundaries
10
State legislative boundaries are redrawn every _______ years to equalize population.
10
How many members sit on a grand jury?
12
Judges of the Supreme Court and courts of appeals are selected for a ____-year term.
12
The Governor has ____ days to either sign or return a bill with objections to the original house.
15 days
Judges on the Supreme Court and Appeals courts must have been citizens for ___ years and a qualified voter in Missouri for __ years.
15, 9
How big is each Senatorial district?
155,000 people in each district. 34 districts total
Number of members in the Missouri House of Representatives
163
Missourians may register to vote when they are _______ years of age.
17 1/2
How old do you have to be to REGISTER to vote?
17.5
How old do you have to be TO vote?
18
MO Court plan:
1st court- MO Circuit courts: 45, civil/criminal, specializing in juvenile and family issues 2nd court- MO Court of Appeals: 3, reviews Circuit court rulings 3rd Court- MO Supreme Court: 1 court, reviews all state ruling
Term of office for Missouri House of Representatives
2 years
MO house of representatives requirements
24 years old. 2 year voter. 1 year district resident. two year terms. 8 years max (4 term limit)
Each representative shall be ____ years of age, and a qualified voter for _____years
24, 2
A person must be registered to vote for state elections at least ___ days prior to the election
28
Fractional vote needed in each chamber to call a Special Session of the state legislature
3/4
What fraction of jurors may issue a verdict in a CIVIL trial?
3/4 majority
What are the qualifications to be governor?
30 years old, 15 year US citizen, 10 years missouri resident, registered voter. 4 year terms, two year term limit
MO senator
30 years old. 3 year as a voter. 1 year district resident. 4 year term. (2 term limit) 8 years max
Judges qualifications
30 years old. Lawyer. Must retire @ age 70
The Governor must be at least ___ years old and have been a citizen of the U.S. _________, and a resident of the state at least ____ yrs.
30, 15 years, 10
Each senator shall be ____years of age, and a qualified voter off the state for ____ years
30, 3
How big is each representative's district?
31,000. 163 districts total.
Number of members in the Missouri Senate
34
Term of office for Missouri Senate
4 years
Judges for Circuit Courts are selected for a ___-yr. term.
6
On election day in Missouri the polls open at ____ and close at _____
6 a.m. / 7 p.m.
How many supreme court judges are there?
7
Missouri's Supreme Court has ___ members.
7
Judges must retire at age ____.
70
Maximum number of years of service in each chamber of the MO General Assembly
8 years per chamber
What is the salary of the Lt. gov?
86.5k
How many of the 12 grand jurors must vote for an indictment or true bill?
9
Absentee ballot
A ballot given to a registered voter who cannot vote on election day due to absence, incapacity, religious beliefs, employment as an election authority, or military service commitments
Provisional ballot
A ballot given to a voter whose name does not appear on their assigned precinct register and whose eligibility cannot be determined. IF the voters registration and eligibility is confirmed the provisional vote is tallied with regular ballots, if the voter is found to be ineligible the ballot is discarded.
Civics
A social science dealing with the rights and duties of citizens
What is an item/reduction veto?
A veto that the governor makes that only rejects some of the bill but agrees with other parts (usually relevant with money bills.) can be overruled with 2/3 vote of congress
What are two ways of voting in MO?
Absentee or in person at the polls
How are missouri congressional districts created?
After every US census comes out, all districts are redrawn according to populations.
Preliminary Hearing
After the suit has been filed. The preliminary Hearing is where the jury decides if there is enough evidence to hold a trial.
The five necessary qualifications to become a Missouri voter include
Age 18 or over, resident of the state and political subdivision where they vote, registered, mentally competent, not convicted of a felony, no crime related to suffrage committed
Departments of the State:
Agriculture, Conservation, COrrections, Economic Development, Education, Higher Education, Health and Senior Services, Insurance, Labor and Industrial Relations, Mental Health, Natural Resources, Public Safety, Revenue, Social Services, Transportation
What is the salary of congressmen in MO?
All MO congressman receive 35,915.
Special election
An election held to fulfill the unexpired term of a public office due to the death, resignation, impeachment, or vacancy for any cause by an elected official
General election
An election held to select candidate for public offices
Primary election
An election that allows members of political parties to select their nominees for public offices. The winners of primary elections face nominees of other parties in the general election.
Bill Process:
Anyone proposes a law, legislator sponsors bill, bill introduced to floor "1st reading", goes on calendar for a second reading, goes to committee, committee debates bill, maybe amends it, goes to full chambers for debate, voted on, rewritten, perfected, third reading, voted on, goes to the other house to be amended, goes back if changed even more, goes between houses until one version comes out, goes to governor. If congress adjourned, then governor has to pass or veto it. No pocket veto (after 45 days it becomes a law). If congress has not adjourned, then he only has 15 days.
Month during which Municipal Elections are held
April
When are municipal elections held?
April
Court proceeding where the defendant is formally charged and enters a plea.
Arraignment
The main duty of this officer is to verify the financial accounts of the state.
Auditor
Month for Missouri's Primary Elections
August
Money or security guaranteeing that an arrested person will appear for trial
Bail
What are the powers/qualifications of lieutenant governor?
Breaks ties in MO senate. Second in Command. Qualifications same as Governor.
What are the governor's powers?
Choosing directors for state agencies, Choosing citizens for boards and official groups, Filling empty positions in county offices. Appointing judges. Commander and chief of Missouri national guard.
Missouri's civil and criminal trial courts
Circuit Courts.
The only Missouri judges not appointed pursuant to our Plan of Nonpartisan Judicial Selection?
Circuit Judges in rural areas
The only judges in Missouri who are choses in partisan elections
Circuit judges in rural counties
The Governor's power to shorten a criminal sentence
Commutation
What must be included on a search warrant?
Description of place to be searched, the person or thing to be seized, and probable cause
The government takes private property for a public purpose.
Eminent Domain
Due Process
Fair treatment though the normal judicial system.
Crime Punishable by more than a year in jail
Felony
When a vacancy occurs in the Supreme Court or Courts of Appeals, the _________ selects from a list of ___ candidates.
Governor, 3
All appointments to administrative boards and commissions and heads of departments are made by the_____________ with the advice and consent of the_______.
Governor, Senate
A _______________ is convened in private to evaluate criminal accusations against a person and to determine whether the evidence warrants an indictment.
Grand Jury
Taxes:
Income, Sales, Corporate Franchise, Alcoholoc Beverage, Motor Fuel, Inheretence, Estate
A formal criminal charge issued by a Grand Jury.
Indictment
In Missouri, a Prosecuting Attorney may issue a formal criminal charge against a defendant by filing an ____________
Information
The General Assembly meets on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in ____________.
January
The start of Missouri's fiscal year is _________
July 1.
Who is the ex officio president of the Senate?
Lieutenant Governor
Succession of power
Lieutenant governor President ProTempore of the Senate • SpeakeroftheHouse • SecretaryofState • StateAuditor • StateTreasurer • Attorney General
What is the Hancock Amendment?
Limited tax. One of the first tax limitations of US history, and is still in effect today. Required the state of Missouri to fund local political subdivisions. Puts money back into the towns.
MO state treasurer
Manages state's money. Custodian of state funds. Manages the Unclaimed Property Fund. The treasurer must be 1 year resident of Missouri. Cannot owe taxes. Cannot be convicted of any crime. Limited to two 4 year terms.
The General Assembly adjourns on the 30th day of _________.
May
A _____ is a crime for which a person could get up to one year in jail.
Misdemeanor
What are standing committees?
Missouri Congress holds public hearings on legislative proposals.
Appointing or employing a relative
Nepotism
Towards religion, the state must remain ___________.
Neutral
When may habeas corpus be suspended?
Never
What restriction is there to keeping and bearing arms in Missouri?
No concealed weapons without a permit.
When does a newly passed Missouri law take effect?
No law passed by the General Assembly can take effect until ninety days after the end of the session at which it was enacted
Missouri's __________ Plan for picking judges has been adopted in over 35 states
Nonpartisan
Person authorized to administer oaths and witness signatures.
Notary Public
When are general elections held?
November
MO secretary of state
Oversees numerous diverse programs and responsibilities affecting Missouri citizens. Appoints tax notaries. Authenticates acts of government. Qualifications: 1 year resident of Missouri. Cannot owe taxes. Cannot be convicted of any crime.
Forgiveness of a crime
Pardon
The jury that decides guilty or innocence in a criminal case.
Petit Jury
After the Governor or Lieutenant Governor, who are the next six officers in line to become Governor?
President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House, Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer, Attorney General
MO President pro tempor qualifications/job description.
Qualifications: member of the senate Can act as president of senate with consent of Lt. Governor. Can call meetings of senate.
What types of schools may not be financially supported by state funds?
Religious
MO State Auditor
Same qualifications as governor.(30 years old, 15 year US citizen, 10 years missouri resident, registered voter. 4 year terms, two year term limit)
Official in charge of Missouri's elections
Secretary of State
This state officer keeps the seal of the state and maintains all state records, documents, and certifies all election results.
Secretary of State
The General Assembly may reconvene during the second week of _________ for a ____ session.
September, veto
Cities home to a Missouri Court of Appeals
St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield
Official nicknamed "The Taxpayer's Watch Dog
State Auditor
Attorney General
States Chief Legal Officer.Chief attorney for state. Represents Missouri in criminal appeals. Fights against consumer fraud. Must be attorney and reside in jeff city while in office. 4 year terms no term limit.
The right to vote
Suffrage
Missouri's chief lawyer
The Attorney General
Who has the power to tax in MO?
The General Assembly
Missouri's legislature
The General Assembly of the State of Missouri
Arraignment
The action of calling someone before a court to answer a criminal charge.
What powers does the governor have to pardon individuals?
The governor can pardon any individuals and also commute them. (commute means to remove their sentence but remain remain on criminal record)
What is marriage in Missouri?
The legal union of a man and a woman
Referendum
The people can block new laws from going into effect if.... -Petitions signed by 5% of the voters in 2/3 of the congressional districts in the state. -General assembly directs it. Any measure referred to the people shall take effect when approved by a majority of the votes cast -Majority of the voters in the next election decide
Nepostism
The practice among people in power of favoring relatives and/or friends. (esp) by giving them jobs
Suffrage
The right to vote
Official who is custodian of the state's funds.
Treasurer
This state official is the custodian of all state funds, investing money, collecting taxes, and paying debts.
Treasurer
What day are elections held on?
Tuesday
When may a Missouri judge decide a case rather than a jury?
Upon the request of the defendant (waiver)
Under what four conditions may the Lieutenant Governor become Actual Governor?
When the governor dies, resigns, is convicted or impeached and removed from office
What do Missourians vote on every 20 years?
Whether to abolish the state's constitution and write a new one
Felony
a crime, typically one involving violence, regarded as more serious than a misdemeanor, and usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.
Misdemeanor
a nonindictable offense, regarded in the US as less serious than a felony. less than 1 year in jail.
Current event
an event that is deemed important enough to make the news; affects many citizens' lives.
If a bill is not returned by the Governor to the General Assembly within 15 days, the bill
becomes law.
Special sessions
called by the governor-for up to 60 days. Called by congress with a 3/4 vote-for up to 30 days
These appeals head straight to the Missouri Supreme Court
death penalty
Bail is guaranteed except ______
for capital offenses where proof is evident, the defendant is a danger to the community, or a flight risk
Voters are free from arrest when going to, attending, or coming from elections EXCEPT
for treason, felony or breach of the peace
The punishment for nepotism is _____
forfeiture of office or employment
Elective executive officers and judges may be subject to ________________ for crimes, misconduct, habitual drunkenness, willful neglect of duty, corruption or incompetency.
impeachment
Unlike the President of the U.S., when dealing with an appropriations bill, the Governor has the power to
line-item (or partial) veto.
What are the limitations on freedom of religion?
no licentious behavior, may not disrupt the order, peace and harmony of society
Voting systems used in MIssouri
optical scan, touch screen and paper
All political power is vested in the ___________... and instituted solely for the good of the _____________.
people, whole
The Governor is Commander in Chief of the _____________ except when called into the service of the U.S.
state militia (National Guard)
Who is the top elected official in the Missouri executive branch?
the Governor
Commutation
the act of reducing (a judicial sentence, especially a sentence of death) to one less severe.
Civic Duty
the duty of every individual toward their community and government
Citizenship
the quality of an individual's response to membership in a community
Persons may be excluded from voting if __________
they are declared incompetent by a court, convicted of a felony, or committed a crime related to suffrage
The purpose of the initiative and referendum is
to allow the voters to enact or reject laws and amendments to the MO constitution
The Governor may not grant a reprieve or a pardon for any cases involving
treason or impeachment
No one may be convicted of treason except upon the testimony of __ witness(es) to the same overt act.
two
What are three instances where a person's voting address need not change?
when away at school, in the military or civil service, on the high seas
How may a person's life or property be taken?
with due process of law
State Revenue:
⅓ of each: federal grants, state tax, other (lotteries and other)