Missouri Government/Constitution Study Guide

federalism

a system where power is divided between national and state governments

delegated powers

powers given to the federal government

reserved powers

powers kept by the state governments

concurrent powers

powers shared by both state and federal governments

popular sovereignty

principle that government derives power from the people

rule of law

everyone is subject to the law

initiative

process where citizens propose new laws via petition

referendum

process where citizens vote directly on laws

Missouri Compromise

agreement allowing Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state

Jefferson City

state capital of Missouri

General Assembly

Missouri's legislative body made up of House and Senate

Governor

chief executive of Missouri

Lieutenant Governor

next in line after Governor

Speaker of the House

leader of Missouri House of Representatives

President Pro Tempore

leader of Missouri Senate in Lt. Governor’s absence

voting requirements

18 years old

Hancock Amendment

limits Missouri government from raising taxes without voter approval

nonpartisan court plan

judicial selection system involving a commission and retention elections

Grand Jury

decides if there is enough evidence to indict

Petit Jury

decides guilt or innocence in a trial

What are reserved powers?

powers given to state governments only

What is the role of the Missouri General Assembly?

to create laws

Who is the current Missouri Governor?

varies by year (check latest source)

What does the Hancock Amendment do?

limits government spending without voter approval

How many justices are on Missouri's Supreme Court?

7

How long is a term for a Missouri House member?

2 years

How is a judge selected under the Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan?

by commission recommendation and voter retention

What are the voting requirements in Missouri?

18+

What is an initiative?

a citizen-led law proposal

What branch interprets laws in Missouri?

judicial

What type of government system divides power between federal and state levels?

Federalism

What powers are shared by both national and state governments?

Concurrent powers

What city is the capital of Missouri?

Jefferson City

What does the General Assembly do?

Makes state laws

Who becomes Governor if the current one cannot serve?

Lieutenant Governor

How does the Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan work?

A commission nominates judges

voters decide if they stay

What are the three branches of Missouri’s government?

Legislative

What must you be to serve in the Missouri Senate?

30 years old

What court hears major criminal and civil cases?

Missouri Circuit Courts

What does the Hancock Amendment require for tax increases?

Voter approval

federalism

a system where power is divided between national and state governments

delegated powers

powers given to the federal government

reserved powers

powers kept by the state governments

concurrent powers

powers shared by both state and federal governments

popular sovereignty

principle that government derives power from the people

rule of law

everyone is subject to the law

Bill of Rights

first 10 amendments that guarantee individual freedoms and limit government power

14th Amendment

applies federal protections like due process to state governments

separation of powers

division of government into legislative

checks and balances

system where each branch limits the power of the others

initiative

process where citizens propose new laws via petition

referendum

process where citizens vote to approve or reject a law

Missouri Compromise

agreement allowing Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state

Jefferson City

state capital of Missouri

General Assembly

Missouri’s legislative body made up of House and Senate

House of Representatives

lower chamber of the General Assembly

Senate

upper chamber of the General Assembly

Speaker of the House

leader of the Missouri House of Representatives

President Pro Tempore

leader of the Senate in the Lieutenant Governor’s absence

Lieutenant Governor

next in line after the Governor

Secretary of State

handles elections and state records

Attorney General

chief legal officer of the state

State Treasurer

manages state funds

State Auditor

ensures public funds are used properly

Supreme Court

highest court in Missouri

Court of Appeals

intermediate appellate court in Missouri

Circuit Court

state court with original jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases

municipal court

court handling city ordinance violations like traffic

small claims court

court for minor civil disputes under a set amount

grand jury

determines whether enough evidence exists to indict someone

petit jury

decides guilt or innocence in a trial

Missouri Nonpartisan Court Plan

judicial selection process with a nominating commission and voter retention

Hancock Amendment

limits government’s ability to raise taxes without voter approval

What is federalism?

A system of government where power is divided between national and state governments

What are delegated powers?

Powers specifically given to the federal government

What are reserved powers?

Powers given only to the states

What are concurrent powers?

Powers shared by both the state and federal governments

What is popular sovereignty?

The idea that government gets its power from the people

What is the rule of law?

The principle that everyone must follow the law

What does the Bill of Rights do?

It guarantees individual freedoms and limits government power

What does the 14th Amendment do?

Applies due process and equal protection to state governments

What is the purpose of separation of powers?

To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

What are checks and balances?

Ways each branch can limit the powers of the others

What is an initiative?

A process where citizens propose new laws by petition

What is a referendum?

A public vote on a law passed by the legislature

What was the Missouri Compromise?

An agreement allowing Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state

What is the capital of Missouri?

Jefferson City

What does the Missouri General Assembly do?

Creates state laws

What are the two chambers of the General Assembly?

House of Representatives and Senate

Who leads the Missouri House of Representatives?

Speaker of the House

Who leads the Missouri Senate when the Lt. Governor is absent?

President Pro Tempore

What are the requirements to vote in Missouri?

Must be 18

How is Missouri’s government structured?

Legislative

What are sources of Missouri’s state revenue?

Taxes

What does the Hancock Amendment do?

Requires voter approval for new taxes or spending increases

How long is a term for a Missouri House member?

2 years

What are the qualifications for a Missouri House member?

24 years old

What is the term limit for Missouri House members?

4 terms (8 years)

How long is a Missouri Senate term?

4 years