What must happen for a proposed constitutional amendment to pass in Missouri?

For a proposed constitutional amendment to pass in Missouri, a majority of votes in a referendum is required. This means that when the proposed amendment is placed on the ballot, it must receive more than 50% of the votes cast by the electorate. This process empowers the citizens of Missouri to have a direct say in constitutional changes, ensuring that significant alterations to their governing document reflect the will of the people.

The requirement for a referendum ensures a democratic process, as constitutional amendments often involve critical issues that can affect the rights, responsibilities, and structure of state governance. Therefore, it is vital that any amendments are not just decided by lawmakers but also validated through a public vote, thereby promoting civic engagement and accountability in the legislative process.

In contrast, other options such as legislative approvals or gubernatorial endorsement pertain to different aspects of the state legislative process and do not directly apply to the passage of constitutional amendments through voter referendum.