Eleanor Finch
The current Pennsylvania Constitution was adopted in 1968 and has been amended 44 times since. Pennsylvania has had five constitutions during its statehood: 1776, 1790, 1838, 1874, and 1968. The Pennsylvania Constitution is the state's fundamental document, outlining its framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. The Constitution may only be amended if a proposed modification receives a majority vote of two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly and is then approved by the electorate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of the current Pennsylvania Constitution | 1968 |
| Previous versions of the Pennsylvania Constitution | 1776, 1790, 1838, 1874 |
| Number of state constitutions Pennsylvania has had | 5 |
| Number of amendments to the current Pennsylvania Constitution | 44 |
| Last amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution | May 18, 2021 |
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What You'll Learn
The current Pennsylvania Constitution was adopted in 1968
The Pennsylvania Constitution is the state's fundamental document, outlining its framework for governance. It comprises 11 articles and a concise preamble, and it has been amended 44 times since its adoption. The most recent amendments were approved by voters on May 18, 2021, bringing the total number of amendments to the current constitution to 44.
Amending the Pennsylvania Constitution is a meticulous process. A proposed modification must receive a majority vote across two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly before being put to a vote by the electorate. In emergency situations, a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly can put an amendment to a vote, but the electorate must still approve it within one month.
The Pennsylvania Constitution holds that no bill shall be passed to provide extra compensation to any public officer, servant, employee, agent, or contractor after services have been rendered or a contract has been made. It also stipulates that no bill can authorise the payment of any claim against the Commonwealth without prior legal authority. However, it does not prohibit the General Assembly from increasing retirement allowances or pensions for members of a retirement or pension system.
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Pennsylvania has had five constitutions
The current Pennsylvania Constitution, which came into force in 1968, is the fifth version of the state's constitution. It has been amended 44 times, most recently in May 2021.
The first Pennsylvania Constitution was written in 1776, influenced by the language of the Stamp Act Congress, the First Continental Congress, and the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin chaired the convention that drafted the constitution, with George Bryan, James Cannon, George Clymer, Timothy Matlack, and Thomas Paine also involved in its creation. This original document proclaimed the rights of citizens and expanded the voting franchise to all tax-paying free men. Power resided in a unicameral legislature, with members elected to one-year terms, and a 12-member Supreme Executive Council.
The second Pennsylvania Constitution was adopted in 1790, followed by subsequent constitutions in 1838, 1874, and the current version in 1968. The exact dates of the constitutional conventions that led to these constitutions were 1789-90, 1837-38, 1872-73, and 1967-68. The 1967-68 convention resulted in the current constitution, which has been amended numerous times since.
The Pennsylvania Constitution is the state's fundamental document, outlining the framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, as well as individual and civil rights. It consists of 11 articles, including "Declaration of Rights," "The Legislature," "Legislation," "The Executive," "Public Officers," "Elections," "Taxation and Finance," "Local Government," "Private Corporations," and "Amendments."
Amending the Pennsylvania Constitution requires a majority vote of two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly, followed by approval from the electorate. In emergency situations, a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly and an affirmative vote by the electorate within one month are required.
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The current constitution has been amended 44 times
The current Pennsylvania Constitution was adopted in 1968 and has been amended 44 times since then. The Constitution may only be amended if a proposed modification receives a majority vote of two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly and is then approved by the electorate. Emergency amendments are permitted by a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly and an affirmative vote by the electorate within one month. In such cases, commonwealth election officials are required to publish notice of the referendum on a proposed amendment in at least two newspapers in every county.
The Pennsylvania Constitution is the state constitution of Pennsylvania. It is the fundamental document that 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 current Constitution comprises 11 articles, including "Declaration of Rights", "The Legislature", "Legislation", "The Executive", "Public Officers", "Elections", "Taxation and Finance", "Local Government", "Private Corporations", and "Amendments".
The process of amending the Pennsylvania Constitution involves several steps. According to Article XI, the state Legislature must refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide. This requires a simple majority vote during two successive legislative sessions, amounting to a minimum of 102 votes in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Pennsylvania State Senate. However, it's important to note that citizens of Pennsylvania do not have the power to initiate ballot measures at the state level.
The most recent amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution was approved by voters on May 18, 2021, when four constitutional amendments were accepted. The specific changes and updates introduced by these amendments reflect the evolving needs and priorities of the state and its citizens.
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Amendments require a majority vote of two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly
The current Pennsylvania Constitution was adopted in 1968. Since 1776, Pennsylvania's Constitution has undergone five versions. The Constitution may only be amended if a proposed modification receives a majority vote of two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly and is then approved by the electorate. This is also referred to as a legislative constitutional amendment. A simple majority vote (50% plus 1) is required for voters to approve constitutional amendments. In Pennsylvania, citizens do not have the power to initiate ballot measures at the state level.
The Pennsylvania Constitution is the state constitution of Pennsylvania. It is the fundamental document that outlines a state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. The current Pennsylvania Constitution has been amended 44 times. The most recent amendment occurred on May 18, 2021, when voters approved four constitutional amendments.
Emergency amendments are permitted by a vote of two-thirds of the General Assembly and an affirmative vote by the electorate within one month. In such emergency situations, commonwealth election officials are required to publish notice of the referendum on a proposed amendment in a minimum of two newspapers in every county.
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The most recent amendment was approved on May 18, 2021
The current Pennsylvania Constitution was adopted in 1968 and has been amended several times since then. The most recent amendment was approved on May 18, 2021, when voters approved four constitutional amendments.
The Pennsylvania Constitution is the state constitution of Pennsylvania and is the fundamental document that outlines the state's framework for governance. It describes the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, as well as individual and civil rights, and other matters.
Pennsylvania has had five constitutions during its statehood: in 1776, 1790, 1838, 1874, and 1968. The state constitution does not mention a constitutional convention process, but the legislature has called constitutional conventions in the past.
Amending the Pennsylvania Constitution requires a legislative constitutional amendment, which also needs voter approval. A proposed modification must receive a majority vote of two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly and then be approved by the voters. In an emergency situation, a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly and an affirmative vote by the electorate within one month are required.
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Frequently asked questions
The current Pennsylvania Constitution was put in place in 1968.
There have been five versions of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
The first Pennsylvania Constitution came into force in 1776.
The current Pennsylvania Constitution has been amended 44 times.
A proposed modification must receive a majority vote of two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly and then be approved by the electorate.
