State Constitutions – The Constitution • Constitution.com

Puerto Rico Territorial Constitution, 1952

[Note – Puerto Rico became an Unincorporated Organized US Territory in 1898. In 192, it was designated as a Commonwealth. In 2008, a district judge ruled that a sequence of congressional actions had the overall effect of upgrading Puerto Rico’s status to that of an Incorporated Organized Territory, however, that status has yet to be […]

Organic Act of Guam of 1950

Organic Act of Guam of 1950 And Related Federal Laws Affecting the Governmental Structure of Guam Guam, is an unincorporated United States territory that has not yet adopted a constitution. It was designated an unincorporated U.S. Territory by the “Guam Organic Act of 1950.” The act serves as the governing document for Guam. It was approved […]

Constitution of American Samoa

Whereas the Congress of the United States, in its Act of February 20, 1929, provided that until the Congress shall provide for the Government of the islands of American Samoa, all civil, judicial, and military powers shall be vested in such person or persons and exercised in such manner as the President of the United […]

Draft Constitution for Virginia – June, 1776

FAIR COPY A Bill for new-modelling the form of Government and for establishing the Fundamental principles thereof in future. Whereas George Guelf king of Great Britain and Ireland and Elector of Hanover, heretofore entrusted with the exercise of the kingly office in this government hath endeavored to pervert the same into a detestable and insupportable tyranny; […]

Wyoming State Constitution, 1890, as Amended

Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political and religious liberties, and desiring to secure them to ourselves and perpetuate them to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution. Article 1 – Declaration of Rights Section 1 – Power Inherent in the People All power is […]

Wisconsin State Constitution, As Amended 2014

Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, do establish this constitution. Article I – Declaration of Rights Section 1 – Equality; Inherent Rights All people are born equally free and […]

West Virginia State Constitution, As Amended 2014

Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia, in and through the provisions of this Constitution, reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God and seek diligently to promote, preserve and perpetuate good government in the state of West Virginia for […]

West Virginia State Constitution, 1872

ARTICLE 1. RELATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. The State of West Virginia is, and. shall remain, one of the United States of America. The Constitution of the United States of America, and the laws and treaties made in pursuance thereof, shall be the supreme law of the land. The government of the […]

West Virginia State Constitution, 1863

ARTICLE I. THE STATE. The State of West Virginia shall be and remain one of the United States of America. The Constitution of the United States, and the laws and treaties made in pursuance thereof, shall be the supreme law of the land. The following counties, formerly parts of the State of Virginia, shall be […]

Washington State Constitution, As Amended through 2010

PREAMBLE We, the people of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this constitution. ARTICLE I DECLARATION OF RIGHTS SECTION 1 POLITICAL POWER. All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established […]

Virginia State Constitution, 1971

Article I. Bill of Rights A DECLARATION OF RIGHTS made by the good people of Virginia in the exercise of their sovereign powers, which rights do pertain to them and their posterity, as the basis and foundation of government. Section 1. Equality and rights of men. That all men are by nature equally free and independent […]

Vermont State Constitution, 1793

[NOTE: The Council of Censors proposals which were adopted by the 1793 Constitutional Convention are underlined. Portions of the 1786 Constitution which were deleted are set off in brackets [like this]. The Preamble was deleted by action of the Constitutional Convention of 1793.] Chapter I A Declaration of the Rights of the Inhabitants of the […]

Vermont State Constitution, 1793 As Amended 2014

[Note – Major changes were made to the 1793 Vermont State Constitution in 1836 and 1870. In 1913, the Vermont State Supreme Court incorporated all of the changes and amendments made to that date into the text of the 1793 constitution. This copy is the most current version with all changes and amendments made up […]

Utah State Constitution, 1896 As Amended 2014

[Note – Utah first began drafting state constitutions in 1849 when they were a territory trying to attain statehood. A total of 7 drafts were drawn up, all of which were rejected by the United States. It wasn’t until 1895 when the Mormon settlers in Utah finally prohibited polygamy that the United States Congress accepted […]

Utah State Constitution, 1896

Texas Declaration of Independence, 1836

[Note – Texas has a unique constitutional history starting with their first constitution in 1827 when they were part of Mexico. The next constitution was enacted in 1836 for the independent Republic of Texas. Texas became the 28th state in December 1845. Their first state constitution was enacted in 1845. Since that time, they have […]

Texas State Constitution, 1876 As Amended 2014

Texas State Constitution, 1876

Texas State Constitution, 1869

Texas State Constitution, 1866

Texas State Constitution, 1861

Texas State Constitution, 1845

Texas Constitution, 1827

Tennessee State Constitution, 1870

Adopted in Convention at Nashville, February 23RD A.D. 1870. Preamble and Declaration of Rights. Whereas, The people of the territory of the United States south of the river Ohio, having the right of admission into the General Government as a member State thereof, consistent with the Constitution of the United States, and the act of […]

Tennessee State Constitution, 1796

Preamble We the People of the Territory of the United States south of the River Ohio having the right of admission into the General Government as a member State thereof, consistent with the Constitution of the United States and the act of Cession of the State of North Carolina, recognizing the Ordinance for the Government […]

South Dakota State Constitution, 1889

Preamble We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties, in order to form a more perfect and independent government, establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and preserve to ourselves and to our posterity the blessings of liberty, do ordain and […]

Republic of Texas Constitution, 1836

South Carolina State Constitution, 1896

[Note – South Carolina has had 7 constitutions, 1776; 1778, 1790, 1861, 1865, 1868, 1895.] Preamble We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the preservation and perpetuation of the same. Article I – Declaration of Rights Section […]

Rhode Island Charter, 1663

[Note – the 1663 charter was used as the original state constitution until they formed a new state constitution in 1842 which was ratified in 1843.] Charter of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations – July 15, 1663 CHARLES THE SECOND, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the […]

Rhode Island State Constitution, 1986

[Note – Constitution of the State of Rhode Island& Providence Plantations Done in Convention at Providence this fourth day of December, A.D. 1986 Including all amendments approved as of November 2, 2010.] PREAMBLE WE, the people of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty […]