State Constitutions – Page 3 – The Constitution • Constitution.com

Kentucky State Constitution, 1892

Preamble We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy, and invoking the continuance of these blessings, do ordain and establish this Constitution. Bill of Rights Section 1: Rights of life, liberty, worship, pursuit of safety and happiness, free speech, acquiring and protecting […]

Kansas State Constitution, 1859

The Wyandotte Constitution Ordinance Whereas, the Government of the United States is the proprietor of a large portion of lands included in the limits of the State of Kansas, as defined by the Constitution; and Whereas, the State of Kansas will possess the right to tax such lands for the purpose of government, and for […]

Kansas Constitution, 1858

The Leavenworth Constitution Ordinance. By the authority of the people of Kansas, be it ordained by this Convention, irrevocably, that the State of Kansas will never, without the consent of Congress, interfere with the title of the United States to the public domain, or unsold lands within the limits of said State, or the primary right of the […]

Kansas Constitution, 1857

The Lecompton Constitution Preamble. We, the people of the Territory of Kansas, by our representatives in convention assembled, at Lecompton, in said Territory, on Monday, the fourth day of September, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, and of the independence of the United States of America the eighty-second year, having the right of admission into […]

Kansas Constitution, 1855

The Topeka Constitution Preamble. We, the people of the Territory of Kansas, by our delegates in Convention assembled at Topeka, on the 23d day of October, A.D. 1855, and of the Independence of the United States the eightieth year, having the right of admission into the Union as one of the United States of America, […]

Iowa State Constitution, 1857

Preamble. WE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF IOWA, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the State of Iowa, the boundaries whereof shall be as follows: Boundaries. Beginning […]

Indiana State Constitution, 1816

Preamble We the Representatives of the people of the Territory of Indiana, in Convention met, at Corydon, on Monday the tenth day of June in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States, the fortieth, having the right of admission into the General Government, as a […]

Illinois State Constitution, 1970

Preamble We, the People of the State of Illinois – grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He has permitted us to enjoy and seeking His blessing upon our endeavors – in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the people; maintain a representative and orderly government; […]

Illinois State Constitution, 1818

Preamble THE people of the Illinois territory, having the right of admission into the general government as a member of the Union, consistent with the constitution of the United States, the ordinance of congress of 1787, and the law of congress approved April 18th, 1818, entitled “An act to enable the people of the Illinois […]

Idaho State Constitution, 1890

Preamble We, the people of the state of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare do establish this Constitution. Article I Declaration of Rights Section 1. INALIENABLE RIGHTS OF MAN. All men are by nature free and equal, and have certain inalienable rights, among which are […]

Hawaii State Constitution, 1959

Preamble We, the people of Hawaii, grateful for Divine Guidance, and mindful of our Hawaiian heritage and uniqueness as an island State, dedicate our efforts to fulfill the philosophy decreed by the Hawaii State motto, “Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono.” We reserve the right to control our destiny, to nurture […]

Florida State Constitution, 1968

Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this constitution. __________ Article I Declaration of Rights Section […]

Florida State Constitution, 1838

Preamble We, the People of the Territory of Florida, by our Delegates in Convention, assembled at the City of St. Joseph, on Monday the 3d day of December, A.D. 1838, and of the Independence of the United States the sixty-third year, having and claiming the right of admission into the Union, as one of the […]

Connecticut State Constitution, 1965

Preamble. The People of Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God, in having permitted them to enjoy a free government; do, in order more effectually to define, secure, and perpetuate the liberties, rights and privileges which they have derived from their ancestors; hereby, after a careful consideration and revision, ordain and establish the […]

Connecticut State Constitution, 1818

[Note – Although Connecticut was the 5th colony to officially join the United States, they did not have a state constitution as such until 1818. Initially, they operated under their original colonial charters (The Fundamental Orders and The Fundamental Agreement of the New haven Colony) which were granted to them in 1639 by King Charles […]

Colorado State Constitution, 1876

[Note – From 1876 through current, the Colorado State Constitution has been amended 152 times.] Preamble We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, in order to form a more independent and perfect government; establish justice; insure tranquillity; provide for the common defense; promote the general welfare and […]

Virginia State Constitution, June 29, 1776

Bill of Rights; June 12, 1776 A declaration of rights made by the representatives of the good people of Virginia, assembled in full and free convention; which rights do pertain to them and their posterity, as the basis and foundation of government. Section 1. That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and […]

Vermont State Constitution, July 4, 1786

WHEREAS all government ought to be instituted and supported for the security and protection of the community as such, and to enable the individuals, who compose it, to enjoy their natural rights, and the other blessings which the Author of existence has bestowed upon man: and whenever those great ends of government are not obtained, […]

Vermont State Constitution, July 8, 1777

WHEREAS, all government ought to be instituted and supported, for the security and protection of the community, as such, and to enable the individuals who compose it, to enjoy their natural rights, and the other blessings which the Author of existence has bestowed upon man; and whenever those great ends of government are not obtained, […]

South Carolina State Constitution, March 19, 1778

An Act for establishing the constitution of the State of South Carolina. Whereas the constitution or form of government agreed to and resolved upon by the freemen of this country, met in congress, the twenty-sixth day of March, one thousand seven hundred and: seventy-six, was temporary only, and suited to the situation of their public affairs […]

South Carolina State Constitution, March 26, 1776

Whereas the British Parliament, claiming of late years a right to bind the North American colonies by law in all cases whatsoever, have enacted statutes for raising a revenue in those colonies and disposing of such revenue as they thought proper, without the consent and against the will of the colonists. And whereas it appearing […]

Pennsylvania State Constitution, September 28, 1776

WHEREAS all government ought to be instituted and supported for the security and protection of the community as such, and to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and the other blessings which the Author of existence has bestowed upon man; and whenever these great ends of government are not obtained, […]

North Carolina State Constitution, December 18, 1776

A Declaration of Rights, &C. That all political power is vested in and derived from the people only. That the people of this State ought to have the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police thereof. III. That no man or set of men are entitled to exclusive or separate emoluments […]

New York State Constitution, 1777

In Convention of the Representatives of this State of New York, Kingston, 20th April, 1777. Whereas the many tyrannical and oppressive usurpations of the King and Parliament of Great Britain on the rights and liberties of the people of the American colonies had reduced them to the necessity of introducing a government by congresses and […]

New York State Constitution, 1894

As Revised, with Amendments adopted by the Constitutional Convention of 1938 and Approved by Vote of the People on November 8, 1938 and Amendments subsequently adopted by the Legislature and Approved by Vote of the People. As Amended and in Force Since January 1, 2014 Article I Bill of Rights 1. Rights, privileges and franchise secured; […]

New Jersey State Constitution, 1776

Whereas all the constitutional authority ever possessed by the kings of Great Britain over these colonies, or their other dominions, was, by compact, derived from the people, and held of them, for the common interest of the whole society; allegiance and protection are, in the nature of things, reciprocal ties; each equally depending upon the other, and […]

Constitution of New Hampshire, 1776

In Congress at Exeter, January 5, 1776. Voted, That this Congress take up Civil Government for this colony in manner and form following, viz. We, the members of the Congress of New Hampshire, chosen and appointed by the free suffrages of the people of said colony, and authorized and empowered by them to meet together, and […]

Constitution of Delaware; 1776

The Constitution, or System of Government, agreed to and resolved upon by the Representatives in full Convention of the Delaware State, formerly styled “The Government of the Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, upon Delaware,” the said Representatives being chosen by the Freemen of the said State for that express Purpose. Article 1. The government […]

Delaware State Constitution, 1897

We the People, Hereby Ordain and Establish this Constitution of Government for the State of Delaware. Preamble Through Divine goodness, all men have by nature the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences, of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring and protecting reputation and property, and […]

California State Constitution, 1849

Preamble We, the people of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, do establish this Constitution. Article I. Declaration of Rights. Sec. 1. All men are by nature free and independent, and have certain inalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, […]