
Alabama's constitution has been ratified seven times to date, with the most recent ratification taking place in 2022. This makes it the newest state constitution in the US, with the previous title held by the Rhode Island Constitution, ratified in 1986. Alabama's constitution is also the longest state governing document, with approximately 389,000 words, and the most amended, with 977 amendments going into the 2022 election.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Ratification | 28 November 2022 |
| Previous Ratification Date | 11 November 1901 |
| Previous Ratification Date | 7 January 1861 |
| Previous Ratification Date | 11 March 1861 |
| Previous Ratification Date | 1819 |
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What You'll Learn
- Alabama's current constitution was ratified in 2022, making it the state's seventh constitution
- The 2022 constitution is a recompilation of the Alabama Constitution of 1901
- Alabama's 1901 constitution was approved by popular vote on November 11, 1901
- The 1901 constitution was opposed by former Populists, led by Joseph F. Johnston
- Alabama's 1861 constitution was passed two days before the state's secession from the United States of America

Alabama's current constitution was ratified in 2022, making it the state's seventh constitution
Alabama's first constitution was adopted in 1819, converting Alabama Territory into a state. The second was ratified in 1861, two days before Alabama's secession from the Union. The third was ratified in 1865, followed by another in 1868, both during Reconstruction. The fifth constitution was ratified in 1875, ending Reconstruction. The sixth was ratified in 1901, and was the state's constitution during the Jim Crow era.
The current Alabama Constitution is a recompilation of the Alabama Constitution of 1901. It was formally proclaimed to be in effect by Governor Kay Ivey on November 28, 2022, shortly after the state's election results were certified. The recompilation had five objectives, including arranging the constitution in proper articles, parts, and sections, and removing all racist language. The Alabama Constitution is the longest state governing document in the US, with approximately 389,000 words. It is also the most amended state constitution, with 977 amendments going into the 2022 election.
The Founding Question: Ratification of the Constitution by 13 Colonies
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The 2022 constitution is a recompilation of the Alabama Constitution of 1901
Alabama's current constitution was ratified in 2022. This is the seventh constitution in the state's history. The 2022 constitution is a recompilation of the Alabama Constitution of 1901, which was the sixth constitution. The 1901 constitution was approved by popular vote on November 11, 1901, with 108,613 votes cast in favour and 81,734 votes against. The 1901 constitution was established to enforce Jim Crow laws in the state.
The 2022 constitution has been amended 12 times and has 18 articles. It is the most amended state constitution in the United States, with 977 amendments going into the 2022 election. The average state constitution has been amended about 115 times. The 2022 constitution is also the longest state governing document, with approximately 389,000 words.
Hamilton's Constitution: Ratification and Legacy
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Alabama's 1901 constitution was approved by popular vote on November 11, 1901
Alabama's 1901 constitution was approved by a vote of 108,613 in favour and 81,734 against. However, historians have largely concluded that its passage was the result of considerable fraud in the Black Belt counties, which were predominantly African American yet overwhelmingly approved the measure.
The 1901 constitution was the longest-serving in Alabama's history, lasting 121 years. It was also the longest state governing document in the US, with approximately 389,000 words. It was also the most amended state constitution in the US, with 977 amendments going into the 2022 election.
The 1901 constitution was preceded by the 1875 constitution, which ended Reconstruction. Before that, the 1868 constitution was also established during Reconstruction. The 1865 constitution was adopted during Reconstruction, and the 1861 constitution was passed two days before Alabama's secession from the US. The 1861 constitution's only new changes were their official secession from the Union and stipulations that forbid emancipation by the state legislature or any other country's legislature. Finally, the first Alabama constitution was adopted in 1819, converting Alabama Territory into a State.
The Constitution: A Unanimous Ratification?
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The 1901 constitution was opposed by former Populists, led by Joseph F. Johnston
Alabama's current constitution was ratified in 2022, but the previous one was ratified in 1901. The 1901 constitution was opposed by former Populists, led by Joseph F. Johnston. Despite their objections, the constitution was approved by popular vote on November 11, 1901, with 108,613 votes cast in favour and 81,734 votes against.
The 1901 constitution was Alabama's sixth, and was established via a State Convention. It was also known as the Jim Crow constitution. It was the first Alabama constitution not to be established via a State Convention. The 1901 constitution was also opposed by the Republican Party, who argued that it was undemocratic and would lead to one-party rule.
Joseph F. Johnston was a former Populist who had become a conservative Democrat by the time of the 1901 constitution. He was a prominent opponent of the constitution, and his opposition was based on his belief that it was undemocratic and would lead to one-party rule. Johnston also argued that the constitution would disenfranchise many Alabama citizens, particularly African Americans.
The 1901 constitution did indeed lead to the disenfranchisement of many Alabama citizens, as Johnston had predicted. It imposed poll taxes, literacy tests, and property qualifications for voting, which effectively disenfranchised most African Americans and many poor whites. The constitution also included a grandfather clause, which allowed anyone who could prove that their grandfather had voted prior to 1867 to be exempt from the new voting requirements. This clause was designed to ensure that only whites could vote.
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Alabama's 1861 constitution was passed two days before the state's secession from the United States of America
Alabama's 1861 constitution was passed on 7 January 1861, two days before the state's secession from the United States of America. This was the fifth constitution in Alabama's history, and the last to be established via a State Convention. The 1861 constitution was an updated version of the 1819 constitution, with the only new changes being official secession from the Union and stipulations that forbade emancipation by the state legislature or any other country's legislature.
The 1861 constitution was short-lived, as Alabama's sixth constitution was adopted in 1865, during Reconstruction. This was followed by another constitution in 1868, also during Reconstruction, and a further constitution in 1875, which ended Reconstruction. The 1861 constitution was also the last constitution to be ratified before the 20th century, with the next constitution being adopted in 1901. This was the Jim Crow constitution, which remained in effect until 2022, when Alabama's current constitution was ratified.
Alabama's current constitution is the seventh in the state's history and was adopted in 2022. It is a recompilation of the 1901 constitution, with five objectives: arranging it in proper articles, parts, and sections; removing all racist language; deleting superseded language; reorganising the document; and updating it to reflect modern standards and values. The current Alabama constitution is the longest state governing document in the United States, with approximately 389,000 words, and it is also the most amended, with 977 amendments going into the 2022 election.
The Constitution: Ratification and Its Relevance Today
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Frequently asked questions
Alabama's constitution was last ratified in 2022. This is the state's seventh constitution.
The previous Alabama constitution was ratified in 1901.
The first Alabama constitution was ratified in 1819.









![Constitution, State of Alabama: As Adopted by the Constitutional Convention, September 3rd, 1901 ... 1901 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61vI5PkK8ZL._AC_UY218_.jpg)















