Jonah Patel
The Oklahoma Constitution, the governing document of the U.S. state of Oklahoma, was written in 1906 and adopted in 1907. It came into being with the merger of the Oklahoma Territory and the Indian Territory. The constitution was based on the Sequoyah Constitution, which was drafted by the Sequoyah State Constitutional Convention. Oklahoma became the 46th U.S. state on November 16, 1907, when it ratified the United States Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Adopted | 1907 |
| Number of Articles | 30 |
| Number of Amendments | 205 |
| Last Amendment | November 5, 2024 |
| Basis | The Sequoyah Constitution |
| Number of Delegates | 112 |
| Date of Elections | November 6, 1906 |
| Number of Words | 50,000 |
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What You'll Learn
The Oklahoma Constitution was adopted in 1907
The process of drafting the Oklahoma Constitution began with the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention, which met in Guthrie in 1906. The convention included 55 delegates from each of the Oklahoma and Indian territories, as well as two additional delegates from the Osage Nation. The delegates were tasked with creating a constitution that would serve as the governing document for the new state.
One of the key features of the Oklahoma Constitution is its recognition of the importance of the separation of powers. This is achieved through the establishment of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The legislative branch, consisting of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, is responsible for creating laws and outlining legislative procedures. The executive branch, led by the governor, is responsible for executing the laws and administering the government. The judicial branch, headed by the Supreme Court, is responsible for interpreting the laws and resolving legal disputes.
Another important aspect of the Oklahoma Constitution is its Bill of Rights. This section of the constitution enumerates 33 rights, including the right to vote, which was initially restricted to males but was later amended to include women in 1918. The constitution also includes articles devoted to corporations, revenue and taxation, education, and banks and banking, reflecting the drafters' concerns and priorities for the new state.
Since its adoption in 1907, the Oklahoma Constitution has been regularly amended to reflect the changing needs and priorities of the state. As of 2024, it has been amended over 200 times, with voters playing a crucial role in initiating and approving these amendments.
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It was based on the Sequoyah Constitution
The Oklahoma Constitution, which came into effect in 1907, was largely based on the Sequoyah Constitution. The Sequoyah Constitution was an attempt by the American Indian community to secure statehood for Indian Territory as a jurisdiction controlled by Indians, separate from the Oklahoma Territory.
The Sequoyah Constitutional Convention, which began on August 21, 1905, in the Hinton Theater in Muskogee, was led by James A. Norman, a Cherokee citizen. The convention was called by W. C. Rogers, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, and Green McCurtain, chief of the Choctaw Nation. The goal was to draft a constitution, create a plan for government organization, and map out the counties to be established. The proposed state was to be called the State of Sequoyah.
The Sequoyah Constitutional Convention succeeded in producing a 35,000-word document that would govern the proposed state. This document reflected a Populist distrust of elected officials and ensured that residents of Indian Territory would hold prominent positions in the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention and the future state. The convention's proposals were endorsed by voters in Indian Territory, but they faced resistance in Washington, D.C., due to political factors.
Despite the setbacks, the work of the Sequoyah Constitutional Convention was not in vain. When representatives from Indian Territory joined the Oklahoma State Constitutional Convention in Guthrie the following year, they brought their constitutional experience with them. The merger of the two territories in 1907 resulted in the creation of the State of Oklahoma, with its constitution heavily influenced by the Sequoyah Constitution.
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It has been regularly amended
The Oklahoma Constitution has been regularly amended since its adoption in 1907. The constitution has been amended over 200 times, with more than 150 of these amendments being approved by Oklahoma voters. The first amendment was approved in the same election that ratified the constitution.
The Oklahoma Constitution can be amended with a legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment, all of which require voter approval. This process of allowing voters to initiate and approve amendments is called the initiative and referendum. Oklahoma was the second state to allow this method.
The right to vote was originally restricted to males, but this was amended in 1918 to give women the right to vote, two years before the US Constitution was amended to include this right.
Articles VI and VII of the Oklahoma Constitution describe the executive and judicial branches of government, respectively. Article VI outlines the governorship, including the procedures for selection, qualifications, and powers and duties of the office. It also provides for the office of Lieutenant Governor and other executive offices such as the Secretary of State, Attorney General, and State Treasurer. Article VII describes the court system, including the Supreme Court, and establishes two courts of last resort, a feature unique to Oklahoma and neighbouring Texas.
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It outlines the framework for governance
The Oklahoma Constitution is the governing document of the state of Oklahoma. It outlines the framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters.
The constitution was adopted in 1907 when Oklahoma became the 46th U.S. state. It has been amended 205 times since its ratification and is the current state's first and only constitution. The Oklahoma Constitution is notable for its length, containing about fifty thousand words across 30 articles.
The document establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. Articles V and VI outline the legislative and executive branches, respectively. The legislative branch includes the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, with the article establishing the manner of election and qualifications of members. The executive branch includes the governorship, with the article describing the procedures for selection, qualifications, oath, and powers and duties of the office.
The judicial branch is described in Article VII, which establishes the court system, including the Supreme Court, and the power of judicial review. The article also creates the Oklahoma Court of Impeachment and the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary. The constitution also includes articles devoted to corporations, revenue and taxation, education, and banks and banking, reflecting the drafters' concerns and priorities.
The Oklahoma Constitution provides a framework for governance by outlining the structure and functions of the different branches of government and protecting the rights of citizens. It serves as the fundamental document guiding the state's political and legal system.
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It establishes the legislative branch
The Oklahoma Constitution was written and adopted in 1907, and it has since served as the foundation for the state's government and laws. One of its key functions is the establishment of the legislative branch, which plays a crucial role in representing the people of Oklahoma and creating the laws that govern them.
The legislative branch of Oklahoma's government is structured and empowered by the state constitution. It establishes the Oklahoma Legislature as a bicameral body, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The constitution sets out the qualifications, terms of office, and powers of the legislators, providing a framework for their work.
In the Oklahoma Constitution, the legislative branch is vested with the power to create and pass laws. This includes the ability to introduce, debate, and vote on bills that will become the laws of the state. The constitution outlines the legislative process, including the roles of committees, the requirements for passing a bill, and the powers of the legislature over areas such as taxation, appropriations, and the creation of state institutions.
One of the key features of the legislative branch established by the Oklahoma Constitution is the checks and balances it provides. It outlines the relationship between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, ensuring a separation of powers. The constitution also grants the legislature specific powers to act as a check on the other branches, such as the power to confirm executive appointments and the authority to override gubernatorial vetoes.
The constitution also addresses the specific duties and responsibilities of the legislators themselves. This includes their role in representing the people of Oklahoma, as well as their legislative duties, such as attending sessions, participating in committee work, and engaging with their constituents. The constitution outlines the standards of conduct expected of legislators and provides guidelines for their behavior and ethics.
Additionally, the Oklahoma Constitution provides for the organization and administration of the legislative branch. This includes establishing the rules and procedures that govern the legislature's operations, such as the legislative calendar, quorum requirements, and the order of business. The constitution also provides for the support staff and resources necessary for the efficient functioning of the legislative branch.
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Frequently asked questions
The Oklahoma Constitution was written in 1906 and adopted in 1907.
The Oklahoma Constitution was largely based on the Sequoyah Constitution.
The Oklahoma Constitution was the lengthiest governing document of any state at the time.
The Oklahoma Constitution has been amended over 150 times.
The current Oklahoma Constitution has 30 articles.
