How are potential amendments to the Missouri Constitution proposed?

Potential amendments to the Missouri Constitution can be proposed either by the General Assembly or through a citizen initiative. This dual method allows for both legislative action and direct public participation in the amendment process. When the General Assembly proposes an amendment, it typically requires a majority vote in both houses before it is submitted to the electorate for approval. A citizen initiative allows voters to propose amendments by collecting a requisite number of signatures, thereby enabling direct involvement in the constitutional amendment process.

This structure reflects a balance between representative democracy and direct democracy, ensuring that amendments can originate from various sources that represent the will of the people or their elected officials. Other options such as public referendum, executive orders by the Governor, or decisions made by the Missouri Supreme Court do not serve as mechanisms for proposing constitutional amendments; they are pathways for enacting, interpreting, or affirming laws rather than initiating constitutional changes.