Isabella Carter
The Wyoming Constitution, which is nearly 30,000 words long, was drafted in just 25 days in 1889, and ratified by voters on November 5, 1889. It is the supreme governing document of the state of Wyoming, and it outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, as well as individual and civil rights. The Wyoming Constitution has been amended numerous times since its adoption, but it remains generally similar to the original document drafted over a century ago.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | September 30, 1889 |
| Date of ratification | November 5, 1889 |
| Length | 30,000 words |
| Number of articles | 21 |
| Number of amendments | 71 (as of 2024) or 75 |
| Time taken to write | 25 days |
| Number of delegates | 49 |
| Number of votes for ratification | 6,272 |
| Number of votes against ratification | 1,923 |
| Notable features | First state constitution to grant women the right to vote; includes broader limitations on the role of government than the US Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
The Wyoming Constitution was written in 1889
The Wyoming Constitution has been amended several times since its adoption, but it remains generally similar to the original document drafted in 1889. It is the 11th longest of any state constitution and is much longer and more detailed than the United States Constitution, containing nearly 30,000 words. The current Wyoming Constitution has 21 articles and has been amended 71 times, with the most recent amendment occurring in 2024.
The Wyoming Constitution is the fundamental document that outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. One notable aspect of the Wyoming Constitution is its Declaration of Rights, which consists of 39 sections. This document sets forth specific political and civil rights, including the right of women to vote and hold office, a provision that caused controversy when the question of Wyoming statehood came before Congress in 1890.
The structure of the Wyoming government, as outlined in the constitution, includes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The constitution establishes the roles and responsibilities of each branch, including the creation of boards comprised of the governor and other statewide elected officials to administer important state functions. The constitution also addresses the state's ownership of water, although it has been criticized for not mentioning the rights of Native Americans as the earliest water users.
In conclusion, the Wyoming Constitution, written in 1889, has served as the foundation of the state's governance and continues to be a vital document in shaping the state's laws and policies.
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It took 25 days to write
The Wyoming Constitution, which is nearly 30,000 words long, was drafted in just 25 days. The delegates from across Wyoming Territory were in a hurry to produce the document quickly as they knew it would put pressure on Congress to admit Wyoming as a new state. The constitution was adopted on September 30, 1889, and ratified by voters on November 5, 1889. Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890.
The Wyoming Constitution is the state constitution of Wyoming and has been amended 71 times since its adoption. It is the 11th longest of any state constitution and is much longer and more detailed than the United States Constitution and many other state constitutions. The document outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters.
The constitution was drafted by 49 delegates who met in Cheyenne, Wyoming. They used the U.S. Constitution as their primary model, and their document includes much of the same language as the constitutions of Washington, Montana, and the Dakotas, which were all admitted to the union in 1889. However, there are also significant differences between the two constitutions, which were drawn up 100 years apart in very different times.
One notable difference is that Wyoming's Declaration of Rights, which consists of 39 sections, issues broader limitations on the role of government than the United States Constitution. Another difference is that Article VI, Section 1 of the Wyoming Constitution protected women's rights to vote and hold office, which had been the law in Wyoming Territory since 1869. This provision caused controversy when the Wyoming statehood question came before Congress in 1890 but was ultimately allowed to stand.
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It was ratified in 1889/1899
The current Wyoming Constitution was adopted on September 30, 1889, and ratified by voters on November 5, 1889. Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890.
The process of drafting the constitution began in 1889, when delegates from across Wyoming Territory were selected in a special election called by Territorial Governor Francis E. Warren. They were tasked with writing a constitution for the new state of Wyoming, with the U.S. Constitution as their primary model. The delegates met in Cheyenne and, in just 25 days, assembled the document. The constitution was approved by a statewide vote of 6,272 to 1,923 on November 5, 1889.
The Wyoming Constitution is notable for being much longer and more detailed than the U.S. Constitution, with nearly 30,000 words across 21 articles. It outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. One of the most significant aspects of the Wyoming Constitution is its explicit grant of women's suffrage, making it the first constitution in the United States to do so.
The constitution also establishes the structure of the state government, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It provides for the election of the governor and four other officers at the state level, diffusing power among these officials. Additionally, it addresses the state's ownership of water, though it notably does not mention the water rights of Native Americans, the earliest water users in the region.
The Wyoming Constitution has been amended numerous times since its adoption, with sources citing different numbers of amendments, ranging from 71 to 75. The most recent amendment occurred in 2024, demonstrating the living nature of this foundational document.
It is worth noting that one source mentions the year 1899 in relation to the ratification of the Wyoming Constitution. However, the majority of sources, including those with specific dates, indicate that the constitution was ratified by voters on November 5, 1889.
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It has been amended 71/75 times
The Wyoming Constitution, which was adopted on September 30, 1889, and ratified by voters on November 5, 1889, has been amended 71 times according to Ballotpedia, and 75 times according to WyoHistory.org. The most recent amendment was in 2024, with previous amendments occurring in 2016 and 1974.
The Wyoming Constitution is the state constitution of Wyoming and is the supreme governing document of the state. It has 21 articles and is nearly 30,000 words long, making it much longer and more detailed than the United States Constitution and many other state constitutions. It is the 11th longest of any state constitution. The length of the document is due in part to the inclusion of various rights and limitations on the role of the government, which go beyond what is outlined in the U.S. Constitution. For example, Article VI, Section 1 of the Wyoming Constitution protects women's rights to vote and hold office, a provision that caused controversy when the Wyoming statehood question came before Congress in 1890.
The process of drafting the Wyoming Constitution began in September 1889 when 49 delegates from across Wyoming Territory met in Cheyenne to write the constitution. They modelled the document primarily on the U.S. Constitution, with the goal of quickly producing a constitution to pressure Congress into admitting Wyoming as a new state. The delegates assembled the document in just 25 days. The constitution was then ratified by a statewide vote on November 5, 1889, with Wyoming becoming a state the following year.
The Wyoming Constitution has been amended numerous times since its adoption to reflect changing needs and perspectives. Major amendments have been made to articles on judicial selection and public finance. For example, an amendment passed in 1974 made it difficult to adopt a state income tax, and Wyoming remains one of the few states without an income tax. Additionally, amendments have been made to address the powers of the governor and other statewide elected officials. The constitution provides for the creation of various boards and commissions, such as the state land board, which govern specific state agencies and manage state lands and revenues. These entities help to reduce the power of the governor by requiring collaboration with other elected officials on important decisions.
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It was the 11th-longest state constitution
The current Wyoming Constitution, which was ratified in 1889, is the 11th-longest state constitution in the US. It was drafted in just 25 days in September 1889 by 49 delegates who met in Cheyenne. The Wyoming Constitution is much longer and more detailed than the US Constitution and many other state constitutions, with nearly 30,000 words across 21 articles. In comparison, the US Constitution, drawn up 100 years earlier, is around one-sixth of the length.
The Wyoming Constitution was the first in the US to explicitly grant women the right to vote and hold office, building on a law in Wyoming Territory since 1869. It also includes broader limitations on the role of government than the US Constitution. For example, while the president and vice president are the only two executive officers elected nationwide, Wyoming's constitution provides for the governor and four other officers to be elected statewide. This reduces the power of the governor compared to other states.
The Wyoming Constitution has been amended numerous times since its adoption, with sources citing between 71 and 75 amendments. The most recent amendment was in 2024. The constitution can be amended with a legislative or convention-referred constitutional amendment, all of which require voter approval.
The process of drafting the Wyoming Constitution was rushed as delegates knew that producing the document quickly would put pressure on Congress to admit Wyoming as a new state. This tactic proved effective, as Wyoming became a state the following year in 1890. The constitution was modelled on the US Constitution and included much of the same language as the constitutions of Washington, Montana, and the Dakotas, which were admitted to the union in the same year.
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Frequently asked questions
It took 49 delegates 25 days to write the Wyoming Constitution.
The Wyoming Constitution was written in 1889.
The Wyoming Constitution was ratified on November 5, 1889.
The Wyoming Constitution is nearly 30,000 words long.
