Eleanor Finch
The Constitution of the State of Minnesota was initially approved by Minnesota residents in 1857 and ratified by the United States Senate in 1858, marking the admittance of Minnesota as the 32nd state. The constitution has been amended nearly 120 times, with the most significant being a 1974 reorganization to simplify the document and make it more accessible to modern readers. Here are three key things established by the Minnesota Constitution:
1. A Republican Form of Government: The constitution established a republican form of government, emphasizing the importance of the intelligence of the people and their role in securing a stable government.
2. Public Education: It mandated the establishment of a general and uniform system of public schools, ensuring thorough and efficient education throughout the state.
3. Religious Liberty: The constitution guaranteed religious liberty, ensuring that individuals could worship according to their own conscience without interference and that no religious test would be required for public office or voting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | 13 October 1857 |
| Date of ratification | 11 May 1858 |
| Number of amendments | Nearly 120 |
| Most significant amendment | Reorganisation in 1974 to simplify the document |
| Number of sections in Article I ("Bill of Rights") | 17 |
| Number of sections in Article II ("Name and Boundaries") | 2 |
| Number of sections in Article V ("Executive Department") | 7 |
| Number of sections in Article VI ("Judiciary") | 13 |
| Number of sections in Article VII ("Elective Franchise") | 9 |
| Number of sections in Article VIII ("Impenachment and Removal from Office") | 6 |
| Number of sections in Article IX ("Amendments to the Constitution") | 3 |
| Number of votes required in the Minnesota House of Representatives to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot | 68 |
| Number of votes required in the Minnesota State Senate to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot | 34 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Freedom of religion and conscience
The Constitution of the State of Minnesota was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in a special election on October 13, 1857, and was ratified by the United States Senate on May 11, 1858, marking the admittance of Minnesota to the Union as the 32nd state.
The constitution has been amended nearly 120 times, with a significant reorganization in 1974 to simplify the document and make it more accessible to modern readers.
The Minnesota Constitution provides broader protections to its citizens in religious matters than its federal counterpart. The "Freedom of Conscience Clause" states that:
> "The right of every man to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience shall never be infringed; nor shall any man be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship, or to maintain any religious or ecclesiastical ministry, against his consent; nor shall any control of or interference with the rights of conscience be permitted, or any preference be given by law to any religious establishment or mode of worship; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness or justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of the state, nor shall any money be drawn from the treasury for the benefit of any religious societies or religious or theological seminaries."
This means that citizens have the right to worship God freely and according to their own beliefs, without interference or control from the state. Citizens cannot be compelled to participate in any religious activities or support any religious institutions against their will. The state also cannot provide preferential treatment to any particular religion or mode of worship.
Additionally, no religious test or amount of property shall be required as a qualification for any office of public trust in the state, or as a qualification for voting. This ensures that religious freedom and equality are protected in the political sphere.
The Minnesota Constitution also prohibits the disbursement of state funds for the advancement of religious ideas. This includes a restriction on the use of public money for schools that promote the doctrines, creeds, or tenets of any particular religious sect.
The state's constitution provides stronger protections for religious liberties compared to the First Amendment of the federal constitution. The First Amendment establishes a limit on government action by prohibiting the establishment of religion, while the Minnesota Constitution's "Freedom of Conscience Clause" precludes any infringement or interference with religious freedom.
The Constitution: God and Bible Mention
You may want to see also
Republican form of government
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, and was ratified by the United States Senate on May 11, 1858, marking the admittance of Minnesota to the Union as the 32nd state. The constitution has since been amended nearly 120 times, with the most significant amendment being a reorganization in 1974 to simplify the document and make it more accessible to modern readers.
One of the key principles established by the Minnesota Constitution is the importance of a republican form of government. The constitution recognises that the stability of such a government depends mainly upon the intelligence of the people. As such, it places a duty on the legislature to establish a general and uniform system of public schools, ensuring that all citizens have access to a thorough and efficient education. The legislature is empowered to make the necessary provisions, including taxation, to secure this right.
The Minnesota Constitution also emphasises the separation of powers within the government, dividing the powers of government into three distinct departments: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each branch has specific roles and responsibilities, with checks and balances in place to maintain a balance of power.
The constitution further outlines the rights and responsibilities of citizens within this republican form of government. It guarantees civil and religious liberty, freedom of speech and the press, and the right to worship according to one's conscience. It also ensures that all political power is inherent in the people, who have the right to alter, modify, or reform the government as required by the public good.
In summary, the Minnesota Constitution establishes a republican form of government that values education, separation of powers, and the protection of individual rights and liberties. Through this framework, the state of Minnesota seeks to promote stability, intelligence, and active citizen participation in the governance of the state.
The Great Depression: A Constitutional Crisis?
You may want to see also
Public school system
The Minnesota Constitution was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in a special election on October 13, 1857, and was ratified by the United States Senate on May 11, 1858, marking the admittance of Minnesota to the Union as the 32nd state. The constitution has been amended nearly 120 times, with one of the most significant amendments being a reorganization in 1974 to simplify the document and make it more accessible to modern readers.
The constitution mandates that it is the duty of the legislature to establish a "general and uniform system of public schools". The legislature must make provisions, including taxation, to secure a "thorough and efficient system of public schools" throughout the state. The constitution also stipulates that public money or property cannot be used to support schools that promote or teach the doctrines, creeds, or tenets of any particular religious sect.
The Minnesota public school system operates within districts governed by locally elected school boards and superintendents. In 2022, Minnesota had approximately 821,260 students enrolled in over 2,000 schools across 331 school districts, with a teacher-student ratio of 1:17. The state spent, on average, $13,603 per pupil in 2020, and had an 84% graduation rate in the 2018-2019 school year.
In fiscal year 2013, Minnesota spent about 29.2% of its budget on elementary and secondary education, with the primary source of school system revenue being state funding. This amounted to $6.8 billion, which was approximately $2 billion more than what neighbouring Wisconsin received from state sources. In fiscal year 2012, public education expenditures in Minnesota totalled approximately $10.9 billion, exceeding the expenditures of its neighbouring states.
Prison and the Constitution: What's the Connection?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Freedom of the press
The Constitution of the State of Minnesota was initially approved by Minnesota residents in 1857 and ratified by the US Senate in 1858. It has since undergone numerous amendments, including a significant reorganisation in 1974 to simplify the document and make it more accessible to modern readers.
The Minnesota Constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of the press, stating that:
> "The liberty of the press shall forever remain inviolate, and all persons may freely speak, write and publish their sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of such right."
This provision ensures that the people of Minnesota have the right to freely express their opinions and disseminate information through various mediums, such as newspapers, books, and other publications. It also establishes a free press as a fundamental component of a democratic society, allowing for open discourse and the dissemination of diverse ideas.
The inclusion of freedom of the press in the Minnesota Constitution reflects the state's commitment to civil liberties and aligns with the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which protects freedom of speech and freedom of the press at the federal level. This right has been further upheld by court rulings, such as the 1931 US Supreme Court decision in Near v. Minnesota, which rejected prior restraints on publication and affirmed the principle of freedom of the press.
However, it is important to note that the freedom of the press is not absolute. As stated in the Minnesota Constitution, individuals are responsible for the abuse of the right to free expression. This responsibility includes refraining from defamation, libel, and incitement to violence, among other unlawful acts. Additionally, federal laws such as the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 have imposed restrictions on the press during wartime, highlighting the delicate balance between protecting national security and upholding freedom of expression.
Driverless Cars: Constitutional Impact
You may want to see also
Ban on slavery
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, and was ratified by the United States Senate on May 11, 1858, marking the admittance of Minnesota to the Union as the 32nd state.
The constitution has been amended nearly 120 times, with one of the most significant amendments being a reorganization in 1974 to simplify the document and make it more accessible to modern readers.
One aspect of the constitution that has gained attention in recent years is its reference to slavery. Article I, Section 2 of the Minnesota Constitution, dating back to its adoption in 1857, includes the following clause:
> "There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the state otherwise than as punishment for a crime of which the party has been convicted."
This clause has been interpreted by some as allowing slavery and involuntary servitude as legal in certain circumstances, specifically as a form of punishment for convicted criminals. In 2020, a group of Minnesota lawmakers, including St. Paul DFL state Rep. Rena Moran, sponsored a bill to amend the state constitution and strike this language. The proposal, known as HF3008, sought to put the decision to the voters in the November general election, requiring a "'yes' vote from a majority of all voters to make the change."
The bill was driven by the belief that the language in the constitution was morally unacceptable and needed to be purged, with Rep. Moran, the great-great-granddaughter of slaves, stating that the issue was personal to her. It was also argued that the language in the constitution could be interpreted as allowing the legal enslavement of convicts, which was seen as a shameful legacy with harmful effects.
Some concerns were raised about the potential impact of removing the slavery clause on low-wage inmate work programs in state prisons. However, lawmakers asserted that the change would not legally affect prison labor programs, and that similar amendments in other states had not resulted in significant changes to such programs.
The proposal to remove the slavery clause from the Minnesota Constitution highlights the ongoing efforts to address and rectify the harmful legacy of slavery and ensure that language in legal documents aligns with the values of equality and human dignity.
Mercy Otis Warren's Constitutional Concern: A Founding Mother's Fear
You may want to see also
