Isabella Carter
New Jersey has been governed by three constitutions. The first was adopted on July 2, 1776, the second came into effect in 1844, and the third and current document was adopted in 1947. The first constitution was composed in five days and ratified two days later. It was designed to provide a basic governmental framework to prevent New Jersey's fall into anarchy. The second constitution restricted suffrage to white males, separated the government's powers into judicial, legislative, and executive branches, and granted the people the ability to elect a governor. The third constitution has been amended several times and contains several unique provisions, such as regulations governing the operation of casinos. At 26,159 words, the current constitution is slightly shorter than the average American state constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of first constitution | 2 July 1776 |
| Date of second constitution | 29 June 1844 |
| Date of third constitution | 1947 |
| Number of amendments | Several |
| Number of words | 26,159 |
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What You'll Learn
- The first New Jersey State Constitution was ratified in 1776, during the American Revolutionary War
- The second came into effect in 1844, restricting suffrage to white males
- The current New Jersey Constitution was adopted in 1947 and has been amended several times
- The New Jersey Constitution is shorter than the average American state constitution
- The 1844 New Jersey Constitution was amended in 1875 to conform to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments
The first New Jersey State Constitution was ratified in 1776, during the American Revolutionary War
The first New Jersey State Constitution was ratified on July 2, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. Composed in a span of five days and ratified only two days later, the New Jersey State Constitution reflects the turbulence and uncertainty of the moment. Its primary objective was to provide a basic governmental framework that would preempt New Jersey's fall into anarchy. The constitution served as the charter document for the state's government for the next 68 years.
The first New Jersey State Constitution was adopted shortly before New Jersey ratified the United States Declaration of Independence. The state has been governed by three constitutions in total. The second came into effect in 1844, and the current document was adopted in 1947. The state constitution reinforces the basic rights found in the United States Constitution, but also contains several unique provisions, such as regulations governing the operation of casinos.
The 1844 constitution restricted suffrage to white males. It separated the government's powers into judicial, legislative, and executive branches and granted the people (as opposed to the legislature) the ability to elect a governor. It also formally limited state debt, a predecessor of many contemporary "debt ceiling" clauses. The constitution was amended in 1875, mainly to conform to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Additionally, the state's amendments required that the legislature provide for a free public school system.
At 26,159 words, the New Jersey State Constitution is slightly shorter than the average American state constitution (about 28,300 words).
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The second came into effect in 1844, restricting suffrage to white males
New Jersey has been governed by three constitutions. The first was adopted on 2 July 1776, shortly before New Jersey ratified the United States Declaration of Independence. The second came into effect in 1844, restricting suffrage to white males. The constitution was amended in 1875, mainly to conform to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. The current document was adopted in 1947 and has been amended several times.
The 1844 constitution separated the government's powers into judicial, legislative, and executive branches and granted the people (as opposed to the legislature) the ability to elect a governor. It also formally limited state debt, a predecessor of many contemporary "debt ceiling" clauses. The 1844 constitution was amended in 1875, mainly to conform to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Additionally, the state's amendments required that the legislature provide for a free public school system.
The 1844 constitution was composed in a span of five days and ratified only two days later. Its primary objective was to provide a basic governmental framework that would preempt New Jersey's fall into anarchy. The document is slightly shorter than the average American state constitution (about 28,300 words) at 26,159 words.
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The current New Jersey Constitution was adopted in 1947 and has been amended several times
The first New Jersey Constitution was adopted on July 2, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. Composed in a span of five days and ratified only two days later, the constitution aimed to provide a basic governmental framework to prevent New Jersey's fall into anarchy. It served as the charter document for the state's government for the next 68 years.
The second New Jersey Constitution was adopted on June 29, 1844. This constitution restricted suffrage to white males and separated the government's powers into judicial, legislative, and executive branches. It also granted the people (as opposed to the legislature) the ability to elect a governor and formally limited state debt. The constitution was amended in 1875, mainly to conform to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
At 26,159 words, the current New Jersey Constitution is slightly shorter than the average American state constitution (about 28,300 words).
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The New Jersey Constitution is shorter than the average American state constitution
The New Jersey Constitution is 26,159 words long, while the average American state constitution is about 28,300 words long. The shorter length of the New Jersey Constitution may be due in part to the state's unique history and the specific needs of its government. The constitution was composed during a turbulent time in the state's history, and its primary objective was to provide a basic governmental framework that would prevent New Jersey from falling into anarchy.
The New Jersey Constitution has been amended several times since its adoption to reflect the changing needs and values of the state. For example, the 1875 amendment conformed to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution, and required the legislature to provide for a free public school system. The current document includes provisions that are not found in the United States Constitution, such as regulations governing the operation of casinos.
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The 1844 New Jersey Constitution was amended in 1875 to conform to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments
The State of New Jersey has been governed by three constitutions. The first was adopted on July 2, 1776, shortly before New Jersey ratified the United States Declaration of Independence. The second came into effect in 1844, and the third and current document was adopted in 1947.
In addition to the amendments made in 1875, the 1844 New Jersey Constitution has been amended several other times. These include amendments made in 1897, 1906, 1910, 1927, 1966, 1978, and 2006. The 1927 amendment was a failed attempt to amend the 1844 constitution, and the amendments made in 1966, 1978, and 2006 added new sections to the constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
Three times. The first was on July 2, 1776, the second in 1844, and the third in 1947.
26,159 words. This is slightly shorter than the average American state constitution, which is around 28,300 words.
To provide a basic governmental framework that would prevent New Jersey's fall into anarchy.
To separate the government's powers into judicial, legislative, and executive branches, and to grant the people (rather than the legislature) the ability to elect a governor.
