Simone Lawson
Indiana's constitution was first adopted in 1816, before Indiana became a state. It was ratified by a simple majority vote of 33 to 8, and became effective on June 29, 1816, when the delegates signed the document. Since then, Indiana's constitution has been amended several times, including in 1851, 1881, 1917, 1921, 1976 and 1984.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | 29 June 1816 |
| Date of ratification | 1 November 1851 |
| Voting method | Majority vote (33 to 8) |
| Voters' input | Not submitted to Indiana's voters for ratification |
| Amendments | Several, including in 1851, 1881, 1921, 1976, and 1984 |
| Similarity to other state constitutions | Similar |
| Government type | Republican |
| Branches of government | Executive, legislative, and judicial |
| Bill of rights | Yes |
| Suffrage | Yes |
| Elections | Regulated |
| State militia | Yes |
| State educational institutions | Yes |
| Limits on government indebtedness | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
- Indiana's 1816 constitution was not submitted to voters for ratification
- Indiana's 1851 constitution was amended several times
- Indiana's 1816 constitution was similar to other state constitutions of the time
- Indiana's 1816 constitution represented the pro-statehood/anti-slavery faction
- Indiana's 1851 constitution expanded the bill of rights included in the 1816 document
Indiana's 1816 constitution was not submitted to voters for ratification
Indiana's 1816 constitution is considered the most important document in the state's history. It represented the more democratic views of the pro-statehood/anti-slavery faction. The document emerged from the constitutional convention as a statement of the "values and beliefs" of Indiana's pioneer era. The state's first constitution is similar to that of the other state constitutions written around the same time.
Indiana's citizens voted to amend the first constitution in 1851. The new constitution went into effect on November 1, 1851, and expanded the bill of rights included in the 1816 document. Since its ratification, the state constitution of 1851 has been amended several times, but it remains the highest state law in Indiana.
Among the constitutional amendments passed in 1881 was one that extended the state residency requirements from six months to one year and removed the word "white" from Section 2, which was already unenforceable due to the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment granting suffrage to African American men. In September 1921, following the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, Indiana voters ratified a state constitution amendment to grant suffrage to women.
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Indiana's 1851 constitution was amended several times
The 1851 constitution also included a preamble, articles, and amendments. It specified a republican form of government, consisting of three branches: executive (including administration), legislative, and judicial. The constitution also included a bill of rights, granted suffrage and regulated elections, provided for a state militia, state educational institutions, and set limits on government indebtedness.
Since its ratification, the 1851 constitution has been amended several times. In 1881, an amendment was passed that extended the state residency requirements from six months to one year and removed the word "white" from Section 2, which was already unenforceable due to the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment granting suffrage to African American men. In 1921, following the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, Indiana voters ratified a state constitution amendment to grant suffrage to women. Other amendments to Article 2, Section 2, occurred in 1976 and 1984.
The Evolution of the Constitution: Amendments and Ratifications
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Indiana's 1816 constitution was similar to other state constitutions of the time
Indiana's constitution is composed of a preamble, articles, and amendments. It specifies a republican form of government, consisting of three branches: executive (including administration), legislative, and judicial. The state constitution also includes a bill of rights, grants suffrage and regulates elections, provides for a state militia, state educational institutions, and sets limits on government indebtedness.
The 1816 constitution was not submitted to Indiana's voters for ratification. Instead, it was adopted with a simple majority vote (33 to 8) by the delegates, who signed the document on the last day of the convention, June 29, 1816.
Indiana's citizens voted to amend the first constitution in 1851, and the new constitution went into effect on November 1 of that year. The 1851 constitution has been amended several times but remains the highest state law in Indiana.
The Evolution of Constitutional Ratification
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Indiana's 1816 constitution represented the pro-statehood/anti-slavery faction
Indiana's constitution is composed of a preamble, articles, and amendments. It specifies a republican form of government consisting of three branches: executive (including administration), legislative, and judicial. The state constitution also includes a bill of rights, grants suffrage and regulates elections, provides for a state militia, state educational institutions, and sets limits on government indebtedness.
Indiana's citizens voted to amend the first constitution in 1851. The new constitution did not radically change the state's existing government, but it did expand the bill of rights included in the 1816 document. Since its ratification, the state constitution of 1851 has been amended several times, but it remains the highest state law in Indiana. Among the constitutional amendments passed in 1881 was one that extended the state residency requirements from six months to one year and removed the word "white" from Section 2, which was already unenforceable due to the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment granting suffrage to African American men.
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Indiana's 1851 constitution expanded the bill of rights included in the 1816 document
Indiana's 1816 constitution was adopted by a constitutional convention before Indiana became a state. It was not submitted to Indiana's voters for ratification, but was instead ratified by a simple majority vote of the delegates (33 to 8). The 1816 constitution represented the more democratic views of the pro-statehood/anti-slavery faction. It was considered the most important document in the state's history and was similar to other state constitutions written around the same time.
Indiana's constitution is composed of a preamble, articles, and amendments. It specifies a republican form of government consisting of three branches: executive (including administration), legislative, and judicial. The state constitution also includes a bill of rights, grants suffrage and regulates elections, provides for a state militia, state educational institutions, and sets limits on government indebtedness.
The Indiana General Assembly may amend the constitution, subject to ratification by vote of the people, as specified in Article 16 of Indiana's 1851 constitution. The state legislator enacted a voters' rights law in 1917, but it was struck down by the Indiana Supreme Court in October of that year. Other amendments to Article 2, Section 2, occurred in 1921, 1976, and 1984. In September 1921, following the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, Indiana voters ratified a state constitution amendment to grant suffrage to women.
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Frequently asked questions
Indiana's 1816 constitution was ratified by a simple majority vote of 33 to 8. It was not submitted to Indiana's voters for ratification.
Yes, Indiana's citizens voted to amend the first constitution in 1851.
The Indiana constitution includes a preamble, articles, and amendments. It specifies a republican form of government consisting of three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. It also includes a bill of rights, grants suffrage and regulates elections, provides for a state militia and state educational institutions, and sets limits on government indebtedness.
Yes, the Indiana constitution has been amended several times since its ratification in 1851. Amendments have been passed in 1881, 1917, 1921, 1976, and 1984.
The constitutional amendments passed in 1881 extended the state residency requirements from six months to one year and removed the word "white" from Section 2, which was already unenforceable due to the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment granting suffrage to African American men.
