In its current incarnation, the constitution reflects the states mistrust of elected officials, gives cities and towns broad home rule powers, and outlines governance for the states university system. An annotated and comparative analysis 1969, which served as a comprehensive guide for delegates at the 1970 constitutional convention. The california legislature is privileged to present this compilation of historic documents. Constitution of the state of california 1879 findlaw. California constitution of 1879, prior to any amendments. The working papers of the california constitutional convention of 1878 and 1879 contain the. With 512 amendments, the constitution of california is eight. Pdf download the california state constitution free.
Constitution of the united states we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this. California s future might look like if we made the constitution today. The constitution of the state of california was adopted in november 1849. Constitution of the united states we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to. Californias constitutional right to privacy berkeley law. The sessions of the legislature shall be annual, and. For further information, please visit us on the ground floor of legislative hall. California, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows. California was admitted to the union on september 9, 1850. The constitution is here published as it is in effect following the approval of amendments and revisions on november 6, 2018.
This constitution may not be the most recent version. California constitution article i declaration of rights 2018. Professor saunders explores the california constitutional convention of. The headings to the individual sections of the texas constitution are, with a few exceptions, unofficial and have been added for the convenience of the reader.
The constitution establishes and describes the duties, powers, structure and function of the california government. The constitution of california is the primary organizing law for the u. Thank you for helping us improve california for everyone who lives here. The constitution s long life, coupled with numerous partialreform efforts, has resulted in what is today the worlds third longest constitution. The california state constitution is one of the oldest state constitutions still in use today. As amended through calendar year 2019 table of contents preamble article i. The constitutions of california and the united states with. South carolina constitution south carolina legislature. Use this page to navigate to all sections within the constitution of the state of california 1879. The california constitution is one of the longest in the world and has been revised over 500 times since its original drafting in 1849. It is currently the eighth longest constitution in the world.
Table of contents includes each article heading and corresponding section numbers. Constitution california research indepth guides at georgetown. Constitution of michigan of 1963 preamble preamble. Constitution of the state of nebraska of 1875, and subsequent amendments preamble.
We, the people of the state of california, grateful to almighty god for our freedom, in order to secure and perpetuate its blessings, do establish this constitution. In response to these circumstances, on march 20, 2020, i issued an advisory. The text of the original signed copy of the constitution filed in the office of the secretary of state is retained unless it has been repealed or superseded by amendment or revision. California constitution section 8 commission on judicial performance a the commission on judicial performance consists of one judge of a court of appeal, and two judges of superior courts, each appointed by the supreme court. High school 1 research some recent changes to our california state constitution. The table of contents includes each article heading and corresponding section numbers. Table of contents for the constitution of california. Constitution of the state of california1879 under and by authority of section 2 of article x, constitution of 1849, the legislature at its session of 1876 submitted to a vote of the people of the state the proposition of calling a convention to frame a new constitution stats, of cal. The unannotated south carolina constitution, consisting only of constitution text, numbering, history, and editors notes may be copied from this website at the readers expense and effort without need for permission. Sacramento governor gavin newsom today signed an executive order that addresses the release and reentry process at the division of juvenile justice djj in response to the covid19 pandemic, so that eligible youth serving time at djj can be discharged safely and. Some recent amendments have included a change to california s term limits law through the passage of proposition 28 2012, the california legislature. The california constitution is the basic governing document of california. Constitution of the state of new mexico adopted january 21, 1911 preamble we, the people of new mexico, grateful to almighty god for the blessings of liberty, in order to secure the advantages of a state government, do ordain and establish this constitution.
Department of state division of administrative rules. The constitution of the united states preamble we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do. Table of contents for the constitution of california home feedback. Each article is organized by a heading and section numbers. It is important to note that our state constitution is a living document. That constitution was replaced by the current constitution, which was ratified on may. New york state constitution new york department of state. Full text of constitution of the state of california and summary of amendments see other formats. Much of the 1849 constitution was based heavily upon the constitution of iowa, and to a lesser degree, the constitution of new york. The current constitution was ratified on may 7, 1879.
This is findlaws hosted version of the constitution of the state of california 1879. We encourage you to follow federal, state, and local public health guidelines to safeguard against the virus, and contact your senators office with any issues or concerns. Constitution of the united states of america1787 page ii 4this clause has been affected by clause 2 of amendment xviii. The texas legislative council revised many of the section headings in 2017 and continues to include descriptive headings as. The state currently operates under a constitution adopted in 1879. Constitution of california 1849 the 1849 state constitution was californias first state constitution. This edition of the new york state constitution, available at. People may alter or abolish form of government proviso. Louisiana constitution of 1974 louisiana state senate november 18, 2019 compiled from the louisiana senate statutory database. A more direct model is the congressional research services.
The unannotated south carolina constitution on the general assemblys website is now current through the 2018 session. Constitution of california 1849 the 1849 state constitution was california s first state constitution. California constitution of 1879, prior to any amendments the original of this document is in. The california state constitution hardcover joseph r. Mexico, which then included presentday california known then as alta uppercali.
Full text of constitution of the state of california and. Middle 1 who were some other important signers of the original california state constitution and what role did they play in our history. The constitutions of california and the united states with related. California may have more current or accurate information. Constitutional revision commission records, 19641972.
We, the people of california, grateful to almighty god for our freedom. Under current law, such information may be used only under limited. It has been amended over 500 times since its adoption in 1879. The constitution of the state of delaware as adopted in convention, june 4, 1897 with amendments made subsequently thereto, through july 1, 2019 this document is published as a public service by the legislative council, division of research.
Article i name and boundaries the name of this state is new mexico, and its boundaries. The california state constitution is grouped into subject matter areas known as articles. Constitution of california 1849 defend rural america. Full text and digital images of the english version and images of the spanish version are available. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The first legislature met december 15, 1849, in san jose, and petitioned congress to admit california to the union. The working papers of the california constitutional convention of 1878 and 1879 contain the records produced during the convention and include administrative records, minutes, resolutions, and other document types. California s first constitution was approved in 1849 and was published in both english and spanish. We, the people, grateful to almighty god for our freedom, do ordain and establish the following declaration of rights and frame of government, as the constitution of the state of nebraska. Californias current constitution was ratified on may 7, 1879 and has. Constitution of the state of vermont vermont general. California state archives 1020 o street sacramento ca 95814 constitution of the state of california.
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