Eleanor Finch
New Jersey's first state constitution was written and ratified in 1776, during a turbulent time in the state's history. The constitution has since been amended and updated, with the most recent version being enacted in 1947.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of writing | 1776 |
| Year of ratification | 1776 |
| Duration of use | 68 years |
| Objective | To provide a basic governmental framework to preempt New Jersey's fall into anarchy |
| Provisions | Granted suffrage to unmarried women and African Americans who met property requirements |
| Amendments | Replaced entirely in a constitutional convention |
| Number of words | 26,159 |
| Comparison to average American state constitution | Slightly shorter |
| Average length of an American state constitution | 28,300 words |
| Year of latest amendment | 2006 |
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What You'll Learn
The first New Jersey Constitution was written in 1776
In this context, the delegates of the Provincial Congress drafted the first New Jersey Constitution in a remarkable span of just five days. It was ratified only two days later, reflecting the urgency of the moment. The primary objective of this constitution was to establish a basic governmental framework that would assume control of the territory and maintain civil order in the face of collapsing royal authority.
The 1776 constitution was notable for its progressive stance on suffrage rights. It granted the right to vote to unmarried women and African Americans who met certain property requirements, making New Jersey the only state among the original thirteen states of the Revolutionary period to extend suffrage without regard to gender or race. However, it is important to note that these suffrage rights were limited by the state legislature in 1807, restricting voting rights to white male citizens who paid taxes.
The constitution also established a framework for the state's government, including the provision for an annually elected legislature that would select the state's governor. This document served as the charter for New Jersey's government for the next 68 years, demonstrating its resilience despite being conceived in a time of military emergency. The constitution's durability can be attributed to its ability to preempt New Jersey's fall into anarchy and provide a basic structure for governance during a tumultuous period.
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It was composed in five days and ratified two days later
The New Jersey State Constitution was drafted in just five days and ratified two days later, on July 2, 1776. This rapid process occurred during a state of emergency, with New Jersey at imminent danger of invasion during the American Revolutionary War. The war had already reached New York, where George Washington had been defeated, and New Jersey was nearly in a state of civil war, with Patriot and Tory factions plotting and battling each other.
The primary objective of the New Jersey State Constitution was to provide a basic governmental framework that would assume control of the territory and maintain civil order. The constitution was designed to preempt New Jersey's fall into anarchy and served as the charter document for the state government for the next 68 years. It granted suffrage rights to unmarried women and African Americans who met the requirements of possessing sufficient assets or property as "freeholders". However, it did not specify an amendment procedure and had to be replaced entirely in a constitutional convention.
The 1776 constitution was not the first legal document governing the territory now known as New Jersey. Three fundamental documents preceded it: the Concession and Agreement (1665), written by the colony's proprietors, Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret; the West Jersey Constitution (1681); and the East Jersey Constitution (1683). The Concession and Agreement, a legal document that guaranteed rights, including religious freedom, was designed to entice settlers. After Berkeley and Carteret sold New Jersey to the Quakers, the colony was split into West and East Jersey, each with its own constitution.
In 1702, Queen Anne reunited West and East Jersey, and New Jersey became a Crown colony under her direct command. The New Jersey State Constitution of 1776 was the first constitution of the reunited colony. It reflected the turbulence and uncertainty of the moment, aiming to establish a basic governmental framework to prevent anarchy. The constitution was amended and replaced in a constitutional convention, and the suffrage rights it granted were restricted by the state legislature in 1807, limiting voting rights to white male citizens who paid taxes.
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The constitution was amended in 1807 to restrict voting rights
The New Jersey State Constitution was adopted on July 2, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. Composed in a span of five days and ratified just two days later, the constitution was drafted in a state of emergency to provide a basic governmental framework that would prevent New Jersey from falling into anarchy. It also granted unmarried women and blacks who met property requirements the right to vote.
However, the right to vote has not always been inclusive in the United States. Originally, the U.S. Constitution left it to the states to determine voter eligibility, and for decades, state legislatures restricted voting to white male property owners. Religious tests were also employed to ensure that only Christian men could vote.
Over time, voting rights expanded, and in 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment granted African American men the right to vote. However, many were still unable to exercise this right due to various barriers such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation. The struggle for equal voting rights continued, and in 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment granted women across the nation the right to vote.
Despite these advancements, voter suppression persisted, particularly in the South, with policies such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and English language requirements targeting people of color, new citizens, and low-income populations. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that prohibited voter discrimination based on race, color, or membership in a language minority group.
While I found information on various amendments to the US Constitution regarding voting rights, I could not find specific information on the New Jersey Constitution being amended in 1807 to restrict voting rights.
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The constitution was replaced in 1947
The current New Jersey State Constitution was adopted in 1947 and has been amended several times since. The document was agreed upon by the delegates of the people of New Jersey, in Convention, at Rutgers University, between June 12 and September 10, 1947.
The 1947 Constitution replaced the previous New Jersey State Constitution, which was adopted on July 2, 1776, and served as the charter document for the state's government for 68 years. The 1776 Constitution was composed in a span of five days and ratified just two days later. It was created during a state of emergency, with the American Revolutionary War underway and New Jersey in imminent danger of invasion. The state was nearly at civil war, with Patriot and Tory factions plotting and battling each other.
The 1776 Constitution's primary objective was to provide a basic governmental framework that would prevent New Jersey's descent into anarchy. It also granted unmarried women and blacks who met property requirements the right to vote. However, it did not specify an amendment procedure and had to be replaced entirely in a constitutional convention.
The 1947 Constitution, like its predecessor, reinforces the basic rights found in the United States Constitution. It also contains several unique provisions, such as regulations governing the operation of casinos. The document is slightly shorter than the average American state constitution, with 26,159 words compared to the average of about 28,300 words.
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The constitution contains provisions unique to New Jersey (e.g. casino regulations)
The current New Jersey State Constitution was adopted in 1947 and has been amended several times. It is the basic governing document of the State of New Jersey. The constitution reinforces the basic rights found in the United States Constitution, but also contains several unique provisions.
One notable unique provision is the regulation of casinos. The constitution grants the state the power to govern the operation of casinos, which is not typically found in other state constitutions. This reflects the recognition of the importance of the casino industry in New Jersey and the need for specific regulations to oversee it.
Another unique aspect of the New Jersey Constitution is its focus on maintaining a stable government during turbulent times. The state constitution was composed and ratified in 1776 during the American Revolutionary War, when New Jersey was facing imminent danger of invasion and civil unrest. As such, its primary objective was to provide a basic governmental framework to prevent the state from falling into anarchy. This urgency is reflected in the constitution's swift composition and ratification process, taking only five days to compose and two days to ratify.
The New Jersey Constitution also includes provisions related to the distribution of powers and the establishment of Congressional districts. It establishes the separation of powers among the executive, judicial, and legislative branches, ensuring that no individual can be affiliated with more than one branch unless explicitly allowed by the Constitution. The constitution outlines the process for certifying the establishment of Senate and Assembly districts, with the Commission playing a key role in this process. The Commission is responsible for certifying the apportionment of senators and members of the General Assembly based on census data, and in the event of a deadlock, the Supreme Court is involved to ensure compliance with constitutional requirements.
Additionally, the New Jersey Constitution addresses the protection of civil and religious liberties. It includes a Victims' Bill of Rights, granting individuals certain natural and unalienable rights, such as the right to enjoy and defend life and liberty, acquire and protect property, and pursue safety and happiness. The constitution also acknowledges the role of Almighty God in preserving these liberties and seeks His blessing in transmitting these freedoms to future generations.
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