Missouri legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Missouri SJR114: Modifies the selection and terms of judges of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Appeals
Status: In committee, February 5, 2026
SJR 114 - Currently, judges of the Supreme Court of Missouri and of the Court of Appeals are selected by gubernatorial appointment following nominations from the Appellate Judicial Commission. This proposed constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, would require the appointment by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, of all judges of the Supreme Court and of the Court of Appeals. Such judges shall be elected for terms of seven years, instead of twelve years. A judge with an existing term as of January 1, 2027, may continue to serve until the expiration of his or her term. This amendment is substantially similar to SJR 14 (2021) and is similar to HCS/HJR 24 (2021) and HJR 43 (2021). KATIE O'BRIEN
What the bill says
From the introduced text:
SECOND REGULAR SESSION SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 103RD GENERA L ASSEMBLY INTRODUCED BY SENATOR HUDSON. 6827S.01I KRISTINA MARTIN, Secretary JOINT RESOLUTION Submitting to the qualified voters of Missouri, an amendment repealing sections 19, 25(a), and 25(d) of article V of the Constitution of Missouri, and adopting three new sections in lieu thereof relating to judges. Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring therein: That at the next general election to be held in the state of Missouri, on Tuesday next following the first Monday in November, 2026, or at a special election to be called by the governor for that purpose, there is hereby submitted to the qualified voters of this state, for adoption or rejection, the following amendment to article V of the Constitution of the state of Missouri: Section A. Sections 19, 25(a), and 25(d), article V, Constitution of Missouri, are repealed and three new sections adopted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 19, 25(a), and 25(d), to read as follows: Section 19. 1. Judges of the supreme court and of the court of appeals shall [be selected] serve for terms of [twelve] seven years[,] and judges of the circuit courts for terms of six years, and associate circuit judges for terms of four years. 2. Each judge of the supreme court …