An 86-year-old system for selecting some of Missouri‘s most powerful judges is facing renewed criticism from Republican officials after a series of court battles that haven’t gone their way.
U.S. Rep. Jason Smith has called for Missouri to elect its Supreme Court judges, while state Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin has previously pushed to replace the state’s current judicial selection system with nonpartisan elections. The renewed debate has sparked backlash among some Missouri residents who fear changing the system would make the state’s courts more political.
As reported by ProPublica, calls to change the Missouri Plan intensified following several court battles involving Republican-backed policies, including the state’s controversial congressional redistricting effort. The new map was drawn after President Donald Trump urged Missouri Republicans to redraw the state’s congressional districts.
Under the Missouri Plan, a commission selects three candidates for vacancies on the state Supreme Court and appellate courts, with the governor choosing from those finalists. Judges later face voters in retention elections. Despite claims that the Missouri Supreme Court is dominated by “liberal activists,” five of its seven current judges were appointed by Republican governors.
Efforts to change the system have repeatedly failed to reach voters. Missouri voters rejected a proposed change in 2012, while O’Laughlin’s proposal stalled in committee in 2024. Republicans have continued introducing proposals targeting the system, however, including a 2026 measure that would change how vacancies on the state’s Supreme Court and appellate courts are filled.
Missouri Reddit Users Push Back on Proposed Changes
The renewed debate made its way to r/Missouri , where many commenters opposed changing the decades-old system.
“Seems like our Missouri Republicans have gotten a little big for their britches,” one commenter wrote, accusing lawmakers of trying to maintain political control after years of Republican supermajorities in the state.
Others defended the Missouri Plan itself. “The Missouri Plan is a crucial part of preventing the right-wing extremists from buying their way into completely packing the courts,” one user argued, claiming that Republican efforts to change the system have continued for years.
The criticism reflects concerns that changing how judges are selected could make Missouri’s courts more political. Supporters of changing the system, however, argue the opposite, saying the current commission gives unelected members too much influence over which judicial candidates a governor can consider.
Changing the Missouri Plan would ultimately require amending the state constitution, meaning voters would have the final say if another proposal makes it onto the ballot.
Previous attempts haven’t made that easy. Missouri voters rejected one proposed change in 2012, while another effort stalled in committee in 2024. But with Republican officials once again questioning how the state selects its top judges, an 86-year-old system is back at the center of Missouri’s political debate.
