Simone Lawson
The Wyoming Constitution has been amended several times since its inception, making it challenging to determine the exact word count. On average, state constitutions in the US comprise about 39,000 words, with Alabama's being the longest at roughly 389,000 words. The US Constitution, including its amendments, stands at 7,591 words. While the word count for the Wyoming Constitution is unclear, it has a notable history, as it was the first state constitution to grant women the right to vote.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of words | Not available |
| Average number of words in a state constitution | 39,000 |
| Average number of amendments to a state constitution | 115 |
| Number of sections in Article 1 | 37 |
| Number of times Article 1 has been amended | 3 |
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What You'll Learn
The Wyoming Constitution's first article
The Wyoming Constitution, drafted in 1889, has been amended 71 times and contains 21 articles. The first of these articles, entitled "Declaration of Rights", consists of 39 sections. This article establishes the political and civil rights of the people of Wyoming, including broader limitations on the role of government than those imposed by the United States Constitution.
Article I of the Wyoming Constitution contains language and ideas from 15 amendments of the U.S. Constitution, which were the only amendments in effect at the time Wyoming became a state. It codifies rights not specifically reserved to individuals in the national document, including the statements that “all power is inherent in the people” and that “all members of the human race are equal . . . in their inherent right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”.
The final section of Article I declares that “the State of Wyoming is an inseparable part of the federal union, and the constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land.”. This article also includes provisions protecting women's rights to vote and hold office, as had been the law in Wyoming Territory since 1869, although no women were elected as delegates to the convention.
The Wyoming Constitution was drafted by 49 delegates in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in just 25 days. It was ratified on November 5, 1889, and Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890, when it was admitted to the Union by an Act of Congress.
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Amending the Wyoming Constitution
The Wyoming Constitution, which came into effect in 1890, has been amended 71 times since its ratification. The 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.
The state constitutional convention method requires a two-thirds vote during a legislative session to place the question on the ballot. If a simple majority of voters approve the question, the legislature must call for a convention during its next session.
The Wyoming Constitution also includes provisions for the establishment and maintenance of a uniform system of public instruction, with free elementary schools, a university, and other necessary institutions. It also mandates that no law shall be passed except by bill, and that no bill shall be altered on its passage through the houses to change its original purpose.
Additionally, the Wyoming Constitution addresses the role of justices and judges, stating that their office shall become vacant upon reaching the age of 70, with provisions for benefits for their dependents. The constitution also outlines requirements for voter registration and the purity of elections, with specific instructions for ballot delivery and counting.
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Word count compared to other state constitutions
The Wyoming Constitution contains 24,159 words. This is significantly shorter than the average length of a state constitution, which is about 39,000 words. The length of state constitutions varies, with the shortest being the Constitution of Vermont, adopted in 1793, at 8,295 words long. The length of state constitutions may be due to the level of detail they go into regarding the day-to-day relationships between the government and the people. They often outline the structure of the state government, including the executive branch, the state legislature, and the state courts.
The length of state constitutions also depends on the number of amendments that have been made over time. The most amended state constitution is Alabama's, with nearly 950 amendments, contributing to its length of approximately 389,000 words. However, Alabama's constitution was rewritten in 2022, and its current word count is unclear.
The oldest state constitution still in effect is that of Massachusetts, which took effect in 1780 and has been amended about 115 times, which is close to the average number of amendments for state constitutions. The newest state constitution is that of Rhode Island, ratified by voters in 1986, which proposed deleting superseded language and reorganizing the state's 1843 Constitution.
The length of state constitutions can also be attributed to the inclusion of additional provisions beyond what is typically found in the federal Constitution. For example, many state constitutions begin with an invocation of God and some states allow amendments to the constitution by initiative. The diversity in the length of state constitutions highlights the unique characteristics of each state's governing document.
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The Wyoming Constitution's historical context
The Wyoming Constitution, which came into effect in 1889, is the state constitution of Wyoming. It is a lengthy document, consisting of almost 30,000 words, and is divided into 21 articles. The constitution was drafted by 49 delegates, who met in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in September 1889. The delegates were chosen in a special election called by Territorial Governor Francis E. Warren. They worked quickly, producing the constitution in just 25 days. The document was ratified by voters on November 5, 1889, and Wyoming became a state the following year, on July 10, 1890.
The Wyoming Constitution was modelled on the U.S. Constitution, which was drafted 100 years earlier, and includes language from many of the then-existing 15 amendments of the U.S. Constitution. However, the two documents differ in several ways. For example, Wyoming's Declaration of Rights, outlined in Article 1 of the state constitution, sets forth broader political and civil rights than those outlined in the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, the Wyoming Constitution establishes an executive branch structure that differs from the national one. While the president and vice president are the only two executive officers elected nationwide, Wyoming's constitution provides for the statewide election of the governor and four other officers: the secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, and superintendent of public instruction.
Another notable feature of the Wyoming Constitution is its provision for women's suffrage. Section 1 of Article VI of the constitution protected women's rights to vote and hold office, continuing a law that had been in place in Wyoming Territory since 1869. This provision caused controversy when the question of Wyoming statehood came before Congress in 1890, but it was ultimately allowed to stand. Wyoming's constitution also includes a statement that "all members of the human race are equal ... in their inherent right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
The Wyoming Constitution has been amended 71 times since its adoption. The most recent amendment was approved by voters on November 5, 2024. Amendments to the constitution can be made through a legislative or convention-referred process, but all amendments require voter approval.
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The Wyoming Constitution's influence on other constitutions
The Wyoming Constitution, crafted and ratified in the late 19th century, is a concise and influential document that has left its mark on the governing frameworks of other states. With approximately 23,000 words, it is a relatively brief constitution compared to other states, yet it comprehensively outlines the rights, responsibilities, and structure of Wyoming's government. The Wyoming Constitution's influence extends beyond the state's borders, as it has served as a model and inspiration for the drafting and amendment of other state constitutions.
One of the key aspects that set the Wyoming Constitution apart is its strong emphasis on individual liberties and rights. This focus has been a source of inspiration for other states seeking to reinforce similar freedoms in their governing documents. For example, Wyoming's constitution was the first in the nation to explicitly grant women the right to vote and hold public office, a provision that has since been emulated by other states and eventually led to the passage of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution. Wyoming's constitution also includes a robust bill of rights, guaranteeing freedoms such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, which have become standard inclusions in many other state constitutions.
The document's concise and straightforward nature has also been appealing to constitution drafters in other states. Unlike lengthier and more complex state constitutions, Wyoming's constitution is written in plain language, making it accessible to a broad audience. This clarity ensures that citizens can easily understand their rights and the structure of their government, promoting transparency and accountability in governance. The Wyoming Constitution's brevity also allows for more flexibility and ease when it comes to amending the document to reflect changing societal needs and values.
Another notable influence of the Wyoming Constitution is its impact on the structure of state governments. Wyoming's constitution establishes a unique balance of powers, including a strong executive branch with a governor holding considerable authority, a unicameral legislature, and an independent judiciary. This structure has been of particular interest to states seeking to streamline their governmental processes and establish a more efficient balance of powers. The Wyoming Constitution's influence can be seen in the adoption of similar governmental structures in other states, demonstrating its impact on the evolution of state-level governance across the nation.
Furthermore, the Wyoming Constitution's provisions for local government and citizen participation have also been influential. The constitution provides for a system of county and municipal governments, granting them specific powers and ensuring local representation and autonomy. This has inspired other states to devolve more powers to local governments, fostering greater citizen engagement and more responsive public policies. The Wyoming Constitution also includes mechanisms for direct citizen lawmaking through initiatives and referendums, empowering citizens to have a direct say in the laws that govern them.
In conclusion, the Wyoming Constitution, despite being one of the shorter state constitutions, has had a profound and lasting influence on the development of other state constitutions. Its emphasis on individual liberties, clear and concise language, unique governmental structure, and provisions for local governance and citizen participation have all been key factors in its influence. As other states continue to evolve their governing frameworks, the Wyoming Constitution stands as a testament to the power of concise and rights-focused constitution drafting, leaving a lasting legacy in American constitutionalism.
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