Omar Bennett
The Constitution of the State of Minnesota has been amended numerous times since its initial approval in 1857. Nearly 120 amendments have been approved, with the most notable being a 1974 reorganization to simplify the document and make it more accessible to modern readers. The political landscape of Minnesota's settlement and organization was influenced by three factors: force, accident, and choice. As a result of these influences, the state's constitution has existed in multiple versions, with the current iteration standing as the single state constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of versions | 2 |
| Date of first version | October 13, 1857 |
| Date of second version | May 11, 1858 |
| Reason for two versions | The Democratic and Republican parties refused to meet in the same convention, so each party drafted its own version of the constitution |
| Number of amendments to the second version | 121 |
| Most significant amendment | The 1974 amendment that simplified the document and made it easier for modern readers to comprehend |
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What You'll Learn
The Minnesota Constitution was initially approved in 1857
The Minnesota Constitution was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in a special election held on October 13, 1857. The constitution was then ratified by the United States Senate on May 11, 1858, marking Minnesota's admittance to the Union.
The process of drafting the constitution was marked by intense political division between Republican and Democratic delegates. The delegates held separate sessions in different rooms of the first capitol building, resulting in two separate versions of the constitution. Despite the differences in spelling, grammar, and style between the two documents, both versions were approved by the voters, and Minnesota had two original constitutions.
The Enabling Act of February 26, 1857, authorized the people of Minnesota to form a state by holding an election for a constitutional convention, writing a constitution, approving it through a referendum, and submitting it to Congress for admission to the Union. The Enabling Act also established the basic framework for land grants, education, and public infrastructure in the state.
In December 1857, the Minnesota Constitution was submitted to the United States Senate for ratification. However, there was confusion as both the Democratic and Republican versions of the constitution were presented to Congress. The constitution that was ultimately approved by Congress on May 11, 1858, was an amended version, differing from the original constitution adopted by the voters in 1857.
Since its adoption, the Minnesota Constitution has undergone numerous amendments. By 1971, it was recognized that the constitution needed to be rewritten in modern language to improve its utility and accessibility. In 1974, a significant reorganization of the document was approved, simplifying the language and making it easier for modern readers to comprehend.
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Amendments: 120+ amendments approved
The Constitution of the State of Minnesota has seen nearly 120 amendments approved, often comprising multiple items at once. The process of proposing an amendment involves securing a simple majority of votes from both chambers of the legislature, followed by ratification by a simple majority of voters during the subsequent general election. Voters indicate their support or opposition to the proposed amendment by voting "yes" or "no".
One of the most significant amendments occurred in 1974, which involved a reorganisation of the constitution to simplify the document, making it more accessible and understandable for modern readers. This revision aimed to reduce the extensive verbiage and complex language used in the original constitution. The 1974 amendment did not alter the underlying meaning of the constitution, and the original document, including all previously approved amendments, remains the final authority in cases of ambiguity.
Prior to the 1974 amendment, the constitution had already undergone a series of modifications. In 1920, the Babcock Amendment authorised the establishment of 70 "constitutional route" (CR) highways across Minnesota, which were initially listed within the constitution itself. These routes were later transferred to the Minnesota Statutes, but they cannot be altered or removed without amending the constitution, highlighting their enduring significance.
The process of amending the Minnesota Constitution is designed to be inclusive and democratic. Voters play a crucial role in approving or rejecting proposed amendments, ensuring that any changes reflect the will of the people. This process empowers Minnesotans to shape their constitution and adapt it to meet the evolving needs and values of their state.
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Democratic and Republican versions
The Constitution of the State of Minnesota was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in a special election held on October 13, 1857. It was ratified by the United States Senate on May 11, 1858, marking the admittance of Minnesota to the Union. The constitution has since undergone nearly 120 amendments, with the most notable being a 1974 reorganization to simplify the document and make it more accessible to modern readers.
The history of the Minnesota Constitution is marked by intense political divisions between Republican and Democratic delegates during its drafting. When the delegates assembled in St. Paul on July 13, 1857, the bitterness between the two parties was so profound that they refused to meet in the same convention. As a result, the Republicans and Democrats held separate sessions in different rooms of the first capitol building. The two groups never held a joint meeting during the entire constitutional convention.
Despite the divisions, a conference committee composed of members from each convention was formed, and they drafted a constitution acceptable to both parties. On August 28, 1857, the report of the conference committee was adopted without amendment by both the Republican and Democratic conventions. However, when it came time to sign the constitution, the animosity remained so intense that separate Republican and Democratic versions were produced.
The Republican version, written on white paper, spanned 39 pages and was signed by 53 delegates. In contrast, the Democratic version, written on blue-tinged paper, was 37 pages long and bore 51 signatures. These two versions, though essentially identical in content, differed in about 300 instances of punctuation, grammar, and wording due to transcription errors made during the late-night drafting process.
Both the Republican and Democratic constitutions were submitted to Congress when Minnesota was admitted to the Union. The Democratic version was sent to Washington, D.C. by the territorial secretary, a Democrat, to be ratified by the Senate. Meanwhile, a copy of the Republican version was also sent by an unknown party, and there is evidence that both versions were available to Congress members during the ratification process. The constitution that was ultimately ratified by Congress was not the original constitution drafted by the separate conventions.
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Ratified by the US Senate in 1858
The Minnesota Constitution was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in an election held on October 13, 1857. It was then ratified by the US Senate on May 11, 1858, marking Minnesota's admittance to the Union as the 32nd state.
The process of ratification was not without its complexities. The enabling act of February 26, 1857, led to an election on June 1, 1857, where Republican and Democratic delegates were chosen to draft the constitution. However, the bitterness between the two parties was so intense that they refused to meet jointly during the constitutional convention from July 13 to August 1857. As a result, separate conventions were held, each presided over by a different leader. The Democratic convention was led by Henry H. Sibley, who later became Minnesota's first governor, while the Republican convention was led by John W. North and, later, St. Andrew D. Balcombe.
The two conventions ultimately produced two different versions of the constitution. The Democratic version was sent to Washington, D.C., by the territorial secretary, a Democrat, to be ratified. However, a copy of the Republican version was also sent by an unknown party, and there is evidence that both versions were available to Congress members. The Republican version was even attached to the bill returned to Minnesota.
Despite this, Minnesota was admitted to the Union on May 11, 1858, with the understanding that the constitution had been ratified. The exact version ratified by Congress remains unclear, as the constitution ratified was not the original constitution drafted by the separate conventions. The state officers waited for the act of Congress before assuming office, but the legislature convened on December 3, 1857, arguing that statehood began when the voters approved the constitution.
Since its ratification in 1858, the Minnesota Constitution has undergone numerous amendments. It is believed that the constitution was amended twice before ratification. The most significant amendment occurred in 1974 when the constitution was reorganised to simplify the document and make it more accessible to modern readers. This amendment did not alter the meaning of the constitution, and the original document remains the final authority in cases of ambiguity.
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Restructured in 1974
The Minnesota Constitution has undergone nearly 120 amendments, with the most significant being a restructuring in 1974 to simplify the document and make it more accessible to modern readers. This restructuring was approved by voters on November 5, 1974, and was known as the "Structure and Form Amendment". The amendment did not alter the meaning of the constitution, but rather updated its language and allowed for easier reference.
The process of amending the constitution in 1974 began in 1971 when the Minnesota State Legislature established a constitutional study commission. This commission was tasked with reviewing the state's 1857 constitution and making recommendations to maintain its relevance. After two years of studying the document, the commission recommended that it be restructured and rewritten in modern language. This recommendation was based on the belief that the constitution's extensive verbiage needed to be reduced to make it more comprehensible to modern readers.
The 1974 amendment was characterised as a "restatement" or "simplification" of the text, rather than a substantive change. This allowed legislators to avoid the more complex process of calling a constitutional convention. Instead, they put the proposal directly to a vote of the electorate as a single, comprehensive amendment proposal. The earlier wording of the constitution, including all amendments approved since its adoption in 1857, was preserved in the Minnesota Legislative Manual 1973–74.
As a result of the 1974 amendment, the Minnesota Constitution was updated to reflect modern language usage and organisation. This amendment also standardised the numbering of constitutional route (CR) highways, which were previously enumerated in the document itself. The amendment clarified that these routes could not be altered or removed without amending the constitution, ensuring their permanence. In addition, the amendment emphasised the importance of maintaining the civil and religious liberty of the people of Minnesota, reaffirming their right to alter, modify or reform the government as required by the public good.
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Frequently asked questions
There is only one Minnesota Constitution, which was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in 1857 and ratified by the US Senate in 1858.
Yes, there is evidence to suggest that both a Democratic and Republican version of the constitution were sent to Congress. However, the constitution that was ultimately ratified by Congress was not the original constitution.
The Minnesota Constitution has been amended 120-121 times. The most significant amendment was in 1974 when the constitution was restructured to simplify the document and modernise the language.
Amendments are proposed by two-thirds of members of each house of the legislature and submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at a general election. If a majority of electors vote to ratify an amendment, it becomes part of the constitution.
