Its position in the Midwest allowed for the state to become competitive for Republicans much earlier than many of its neighbors.
The state's rightward drift became apparent since, as in 2012, it voted for the losing candidate in consecutive elections for the first time since 1900.
..The general assembly shall reconvene on the first Wednesday after the first Monday of January after adjournment at midnight on May thirtieth of the preceding year."
As a part-time legislature, compensation is low, and most senators and representatives hold jobs outside their legislative duties.
The General Assembly meets at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.
The lieutenant governor is allowed to debate any and all questions before the Senate as a whole and may cast the deciding ballot in case of a tie.
The judicial branch (the state courts) is established by Article IV of the Missouri Constitution.
Seven judges sit on the Supreme Court of Missouri, which meets in the state capital, Jefferson City.
When a position becomes available in one of the above courts, a nonpartisan judicial nominating commission reviews applications, interviews candidates, and submits three nominees to the Governor.
[needs update][citation needed] The Democratic and Republican parties have been responsible for establishing the voting districts, casting votes in the Electoral College, and fielding candidates for the general elections, and helping to determine legislative policy and priorities.