Isabella Carter
Mississippi has had four constitutions, adopted in 1817, 1832, 1868, and 1890. The current Mississippi Constitution has been amended 123 times since its adoption, with the most recent amendments approved by voters in 2020. Mississippi's constitution can be amended with a legislatively referred constitutional amendment or a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment, with the latter requiring at least 12% of the total votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial election. The state Supreme Court, however, has made it difficult to propose amendments due to the interpretation of the requirement that no more than 20% of signatures come from any one congressional district, which is challenging given Mississippi's four congressional districts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Constitutions | 4 |
| Year of first Constitution | 1817 |
| Year of current Constitution | 1890 |
| Number of amendments to current Constitution | 100-123 |
| Number of articles in current Constitution | 14-15 |
| Number of signatures required for an initiative-proposed amendment | 12% of total votes cast for Governor of Mississippi in the most recent gubernatorial election |
| Number of congressional districts in Mississippi | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
- Mississippi's constitution has been amended 100+ times since 1890
- The Mississippi Constitution can be amended via legislatively or citizen-initiated processes
- Mississippi's 1890 constitution enlarged the powers of the state government
- The 1832 constitution prohibited importing slaves into Mississippi from other states
- Mississippi has had four constitutions, adopted in 1817, 1832, 1868, and 1890
Mississippi's constitution has been amended 100+ times since 1890
Mississippi's constitution has been amended over 100 times since its adoption in 1890. The state has had four constitutions, which were adopted in 1817, 1832, 1868, and 1890. The current constitution has 15 articles and has been amended 123 times, with the two most recent amendments approved by voters in 2020.
The Mississippi Constitution outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. It is the primary organizing law for the state, delineating the duties, powers, structures, and functions of the government.
The process of amending the Mississippi Constitution involves either a legislatively referred constitutional amendment or a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment, both of which require voter approval. Mississippi is one of only two states that allow citizens to initiate indirect constitutional amendments. The number of signatures required for an initiative-proposed amendment must be at least 12% of the total votes cast for Governor in the most recent gubernatorial election, with no more than 20% of signatures from any one congressional district.
The Mississippi Constitution has been amended to address various issues over the years. For example, the 1832 constitution prohibited importing slaves into the state after May 1, 1833, changed how judges were chosen, and outlawed dueling. The 1958 amendment to Section 273 was proposed by Laws 1958, and upon ratification by the electorate, was inserted by Laws 1959. The 1989 amendment to the same section was proposed but rejected by the electorate. The 1992 amendment to Section 273 was proposed by Laws 1992 and ratified by the electorate, taking effect in December 1992.
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The Mississippi Constitution can be amended via legislatively or citizen-initiated processes
The Mississippi Constitution, the primary organising law for the state, has been amended many times since its adoption in 1890. The current constitution is Mississippi's fourth, with the previous three adopted in 1817, 1832, and 1868. The Mississippi Constitution can be amended through two methods: a legislatively referred constitutional amendment or a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment. Both processes require voter approval.
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments are proposed by the state legislature and then presented to the voters for approval. This process has been used multiple times throughout Mississippi's history, including in 1914 when the legislature passed an amendment creating an initiative system. This amendment was approved by voters and inserted into the constitution in 1916.
Citizen-initiated constitutional amendments, on the other hand, begin with citizens who propose an amendment by gathering a certain number of signatures. Mississippi is one of only two states that allow citizens to initiate indirect constitutional amendments. The number of signatures required for an initiative-proposed amendment in Mississippi is at least 12% of the total votes cast for Governor in the most recent gubernatorial election. However, due to the state's congressional reapportionment in 2001, resulting in four congressional districts, the Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that the requirements for a citizen-initiated amendment cannot be met.
Despite this ruling, Mississippi's constitution has been amended numerous times, with the most recent amendments occurring in 2020 when Section 140 was amended and Sections 141-143 were repealed.
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Mississippi's 1890 constitution enlarged the powers of the state government
Mississippi's current constitution, adopted in 1890, has been amended and updated over 100 times since its implementation. The Mississippi Constitution is the primary organising law for the state, delineating the duties, powers, structures, and functions of the state government.
The 1890 constitution enlarged the powers of the state government and was longer than the 1868 constitution it replaced, which only had thirteen articles. The 1890 constitution originally contained fourteen articles, and unique additions included Section 7, which denied the state the ability to secede from the United States, and Section 12, which explicitly permitted the regulation of concealed carry weapons.
The 1890 constitution also granted the state government the power to enact laws restricting the carrying of concealed weapons by residents, a power not held under the state's three previous constitutions. This was achieved by shifting the right to bear arms from "all persons" to the more restrictive term of "citizen", which was intended to apply only to white men.
The 1890 constitution also enlarged the powers of the state government by giving the legislature the power to acquire additional territory and settle territorial disputes with other states. The constitution also established the position of governor, outlining the requirements and responsibilities of the role.
The Mississippi Constitution can be amended with a legislatively referred constitutional amendment or a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment, both of which require voter approval. Mississippi is one of only two states that allow citizens to initiate indirect constitutional amendments.
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The 1832 constitution prohibited importing slaves into Mississippi from other states
Mississippi has had four constitutions, which were adopted in 1817, 1832, 1868, and 1890. The current Mississippi Constitution was adopted on November 1, 1890, and has been amended 123 times. The most recent amendments were approved by voters in 2020.
The 1832 constitution also included other provisions related to slavery. For example, it prohibited the Mississippi Legislature from passing any laws designed to emancipate slaves without the consent of their owners, unless the slave had rendered a "distinguished" service to the state, in which case the owner would be compensated. Additionally, it allowed owners to bring their slaves into the state if they were emigrants, as long as the slaves were their bona fide property, and prohibited the introduction of slaves who had committed high crimes in other states.
The 1832 constitution also made some significant changes to the state's government. It changed how judges were chosen, with judges now being elected instead of appointed. It also outlawed dueling, which was a common occurrence in the early 19th century. Additionally, the 1832 constitution ended property ownership as a prerequisite for voting, although the right to vote and hold office was still limited to free white males.
The Mississippi Constitution has been amended numerous times since its adoption, and the process for amending it has evolved as well. Currently, the constitution can be amended through a legislatively referred constitutional amendment or a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment, both of which require voter approval. The number of signatures required for an initiative-proposed amendment is at least 12% of the total votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial election, although the state's current number of congressional districts makes it impossible to meet this requirement.
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Mississippi has had four constitutions, adopted in 1817, 1832, 1868, and 1890
Mississippi has had four constitutions, which were adopted in 1817, 1832, 1868, and 1890. The first constitution was drafted when Mississippi became a state in 1817. The second constitution was written in 1832 to replace the original.
The third constitution was drafted and adopted at the conclusion of the Civil War in 1868. This constitution included sections on the rights of citizens, the role of the military, and treason against the state.
The fourth and current Mississippi Constitution was adopted on November 1, 1890. This constitution was created with the explicit purpose of disenfranchising African American voters, restricting their rights, and enforcing segregation. Delegates at the 1890 constitutional convention unabashedly proclaimed their intention to maintain white supremacy in the state. This constitution brought an end to the democratic progress that followed the Civil War, when African Americans made up the majority of eligible voters in Mississippi.
The current Mississippi Constitution has been amended 123 times. The most recent amendments, of which there were two, were approved by voters in 2020.
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Frequently asked questions
Mississippi has had four constitutions, adopted in 1817, 1832, 1868, and 1890. The current constitution has been amended 123 times.
Mississippi's constitution can be amended with a legislatively referred constitutional amendment or a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment. Both require voter approval.
Mississippi is one of two states that allow citizens to initiate indirect constitutional amendments. This process requires supporters to first gather a number of signatures equal to at least 12% of the total votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election. The signatures must come from across the state's congressional districts.
Mississippi's constitution has been amended to address a variety of issues, including territorial boundaries, the rights of the accused in criminal prosecutions, and the process for selecting judges. For example, the 1832 constitution prohibited the importation of slaves into Mississippi after May 1, 1833, and changed how judges were chosen by making it an elected position.
Mississippi's current constitution, adopted in 1890, enlarged the powers of the state government and has been amended and updated over 100 times. It consists of 15 articles, with Article 4 being the longest, defining the rules governing the Mississippi State Legislature.
