MO HJR153

Proposes a constitutional amendment to replace Missouri's nonpartisan judicial selection system (Missouri Plan) with gubernatorial appointment of all judges, subject to Senate confirmation

Applies to judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, circuit courts, and associate circuit judges statewide, eliminating the current distinction where only St. Louis and Jackson County use the nonpartisan commission system

Changes judicial term lengths to a uniform seven years for all judges, replacing the current terms of twelve years for appellate judges, six years for circuit judges, and four years for associate circuit judges

Eliminates the nonpartisan judicial commissions that currently nominate candidates for the governor to choose from, as well as retention elections where voters decide whether to keep judges in office

Judges in office as of January 1, 2027, would serve the remainder of their current terms, after which positions would be filled through the new appointment process; the amendment would be submitted to voters at the November 2026 general election