Isabella Carter
The Arizona Constitution, which consists of a preamble and 30 articles, was drafted in 1910 and adopted in 1912, the same year Arizona became a state. The constitution has been amended 161 times since its adoption, most recently in 2024.
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What You'll Learn
- The Arizona Constitution was written in 1910 and entered the union in 1912
- It has been amended 161 times, most recently in 2024
- The constitution has 30 articles, with two having been repealed
- Article 2 was amended in 2024 to include an explicit right to abortion
- Article 18 and 25 concern labor, with the latter specifying an 8-hour workday
The Arizona Constitution was written in 1910 and entered the union in 1912
The Arizona Constitution, written in 1910, is the state's fundamental document outlining its governance framework. It is divided into a preamble and 30 articles, detailing the state's boundaries, rights, and government structure. The constitution was drafted by delegates at the Constitutional Convention, which met from October 10 to December 9, 1910. After being submitted to Congress and approved, it was vetoed by President William H. Taft due to an objection to a provision including judges in the recalling process. Following amendments to address this issue, Arizona's statehood was approved by President Taft on February 14, 1912, and it entered the union as the 48th state.
The Arizona Constitution establishes the state government's division into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial departments. It also includes a Declaration of Rights, equivalent to the Bill of Rights at the national level. Notably, Article 2 of the Arizona Constitution was amended in 2024 to include an explicit right to abortion.
In addition to the rights and governmental structure, the Arizona Constitution also covers various other topics. For example, Article 18 and Article 25 address labor-related issues, such as regulating child labor and defining a workday as eight hours. It also declares Arizona a right-to-work state. The constitution also includes provisions related to real estate agents, the regulation of ambulances, public retirement systems, and the official language of the state.
The Arizona Constitution, written in 1910 and entering the union in 1912, has been a living document, evolving through amendments to reflect the changing needs and values of the state and its citizens.
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It has been amended 161 times, most recently in 2024
The Arizona Constitution, which was written in 1910 and adopted in 1912, has been amended 161 times. The most recent amendment occurred in 2024, when voters approved a change to the constitution on November 5. This amendment added an explicit right to abortion to Article 2, which is the state's equivalent of the Bill of Rights.
The Arizona Constitution 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. It is divided into a preamble and 30 articles, with Articles 23 and 24 having been repealed and Article 30 no longer in force due to being ruled illegal.
The constitution has been amended numerous times to address a wide range of issues. For example, Articles 26, 27, and 29 deal with real estate agents, the regulation of ambulances, and public retirement systems, respectively. Article 27 also specifies that Arizona citizens cannot be forced to purchase healthcare. Article 18 and Article 25 concern labor, regulating child labor, defining a workday as eight hours, and declaring Arizona a right-to-work state.
The process of amending the Arizona Constitution is outlined in Article 21, which provides for three methods of amendment: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. A simple majority is required for voter approval, and amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
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The constitution has 30 articles, with two having been repealed
The Arizona Constitution, with which the state entered the Union in 1912, is divided into a preamble and 30 articles. The constitution has been amended 161 times, with the voters most recently approving a new amendment on November 5, 2024. The constitution's 30 articles are numbered 1–6, 6.1, 7–22, and 25–30, with articles 23 and 24 having been repealed. Article 23 was repealed by Proposition 100, which also repealed the gubernatorial runoff election provision. Proposition 107, which created term limits for various elective offices, is responsible for the repeal of Article 24.
Article 1 of the Arizona Constitution outlines the boundaries of the state in great detail. Article 2, titled the Declaration of Rights, is the state's equivalent of the Bill of Rights. Notably, in 2024, Article 2 was amended to include an explicit right to abortion. Article 3 stipulates that the state government shall be divided into three distinct divisions: the legislative, executive, and judicial.
Article 8, titled "Removal from Office," consists of two parts and eight sections. It outlines the process for removing judges and justices from office, including the superior court judges mentioned in Article 6.1. Article 4, titled "Legislative Department," is also composed of two parts and a total of 27 sections.
Articles 18, 25, and 26 address specific topics such as labor, real estate agents, and the regulation of ambulances, respectively. Article 19 establishes the office of the State Mine Inspector, while Article 20 addresses religious freedom, the banning of polygamy, and other matters typically outside of Congress's jurisdiction. Article 21 outlines the procedure for amending the Constitution, and Article 22, which is no longer in force due to being ruled illegal, deals with the topic of marriage.
The Arizona Constitution has undergone numerous amendments and updates over the years, with the most recent update as of January 2022 being the inclusion of revised sections from the 55th Legislature, 1st Regular Session.
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Article 2 was amended in 2024 to include an explicit right to abortion
The Arizona Constitution, the state constitution of Arizona, was first drafted in 1910 and adopted in 1912. The current Arizona Constitution has been amended 161 times. On November 5, 2024, voters approved Proposition 139, which establishes a fundamental right to abortion under the Arizona Constitution. This amendment, known as the Arizona for Abortion Access Act, was ratified on November 25, 2024, and added a new provision to Article 2, which is entitled the Declaration of Rights.
The full text of the measure declares that "every individual has a fundamental right to abortion" and limits the government's ability to interfere with that right depending on whether the abortion is sought before or after fetal viability. The Constitution defines "fetal viability" as "the point in pregnancy when, in the good faith judgment of a treating health care professional, there is a significant likelihood of the fetus's sustained survival outside the uterus without the application of extraordinary medical measures."
The new constitutional provision also prevents the government from penalizing any person or group who helps a pregnant person access lawful abortion care. This includes relatives and doctors, ensuring that those who assist others in exercising their right to abortion cannot be punished by the state.
The inclusion of an explicit right to abortion in Article 2 of the Arizona Constitution is a significant development, as it provides a path to challenge existing laws and restrictions on abortion in the state. Arizona has numerous laws regulating abortion, some of which may no longer be enforceable due to the new constitutional amendment. The impact of the new constitutional right to abortion on other abortion laws in Arizona will be determined over time.
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Article 18 and 25 concern labor, with the latter specifying an 8-hour workday
The Arizona Constitution, which was written in 1910 and later amended in 1912, is divided into a preamble and 30 articles. Article 18 and Article 25 concern labour, with the latter specifying an eight-hour workday.
Article 18 regulates child labour and declares Arizona a "right-to-work" state. This means that individuals cannot be denied employment due to their membership or lack of membership in a labour union. In addition, Article 18 defines a workday as consisting of eight hours.
Article 25, located within the "Declaration of Rights," outlines the state's equivalent of the Bill of Rights. It also addresses specific labour-related topics, such as the right to religious freedom, the banning of polygamy, and the regulation of public and Indian lands.
The Arizona Constitution's focus on labour rights reflects the state's commitment to protecting the well-being and rights of its workers. The eight-hour workday specified in Article 18 is significant as it sets a standard for fair labour practices and helps prevent worker exploitation.
It is worth noting that, over time, some articles in the Arizona Constitution have been amended, repealed, or ruled illegal due to changes in societal values and legal interpretations. For example, in 2024, Article 2 was amended to include an explicit right to abortion, demonstrating the evolving nature of constitutional law to adapt to contemporary issues.
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Frequently asked questions
The Arizona Constitution was written in 1910.
The Arizona Constitution is the state constitution of Arizona. It is divided into a preamble and 30 articles, outlining the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters.
Yes, the current Arizona Constitution has been amended 161 times. The most recent amendment was approved by voters on November 5, 2024, adding an explicit right to abortion.
Notable articles in the Arizona Constitution include Article 2, the state's equivalent of the Bill of Rights; Article 18 and 25, which regulate child labor and define a workday as 8 hours; Article 26, which deals with real estate agents; and Article 27, which specifies that citizens cannot be forced to purchase healthcare; Articles regarding voting age and requirements; Articles on revenue distribution for public institutions; and Articles confirming the state's adherence to the US Constitution.
