On The Ballot: Constitutional Amendment 1

     Missouri voters will be asked to decide on extending term limits for several statewide elected officials, including Leiutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, and Attorney General.  Constitutional Amendment No. 1 would extend the two term limit that applies to the Governor and Treasurer positions to these statewide offices. The measure is not estimated to have any impact on taxes or create any cost savings.
     Missouri is one of eight states to limit the governor to two terms in a lifetime and one of 23 states with no term limits for lieutenant governors.
     Thirty-one states, including Missouri, set no term limits for secretaries of state, and Missouri is one of 33 states with no term limits for attorneys general.
     In 1970, Missouri voters approved a two-term limit for state treasurer, and is one of five states to limit the treasurer to two terms. The state auditor position is currently without term limits; 16 other states have no term limits for auditors.
     The bill’s sponsor, Missouri State Senator Tony Luetkemeyer (R), stated the voters have indicated support for term limits and the measure is intended to bring consistency to top level positions.
     “The voters of Missouri have made it clear they emphatically support term limits. This measure will bring consistency to our term limits for all state officials and prevent them from becoming career politicians,” Luetkemeyer said.
     Reached for comment, State Senator Mike Cierpiot stated, “I support extending term limits to all offices”.  In a recent interview with Valley News, State Representative Jeff Coleman said he is not in favor of term limits.