Eleanor Finch
The Alaska Constitution was ratified by the people of Alaska on April 24, 1956, and became effective on January 3, 1959, when Alaska officially became a US state. The constitution was adopted by the delegates on February 5, 1956, and was ratified by territorial voters on April 24, 1956. The signing of the constitution attracted nearly 1,000 spectators, so the event was moved to the university's gymnasium and library building.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption by delegates | 5 February 1956 |
| Date of signing | 6 February 1956 |
| Date of ratification by voters | 24 April 1956 |
| Date of ratification | 4 April 1956 |
| Date of statehood | 3 January 1959 |
| Date of last amendment | 2 November 2004 |
| Number of delegates | 55 |
| Number of words | 12,000 |
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What You'll Learn
The Alaska Constitution was ratified in 1956
The movement for Alaska statehood gained momentum in the 1940s, but it faced opposition from commercial interests and some members of Congress. Proponents of statehood recognised the importance of a well-written constitution and, in 1949, the Alaska Statehood Committee was tasked with preparing for the drafting of such a document. The Constitutional Convention, comprising 55 delegates from across Alaska, convened at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks in November 1955. The choice of Fairbanks as the venue was intentional, allowing delegates to escape the influence of lobbyists in the territorial capital of Juneau and benefit from an academic setting.
The delegates, including 14 lawyers, worked diligently for 75 days to draft the constitution. The document drew inspiration from various sources, including the National Municipal League's "Model State Constitution", the constitutions of other states like Missouri, New Jersey, and Hawaii, and studies by consultants and constitutional law scholars. The resulting constitution was concise, comprising 12,000 words, and outlined a strong framework for state governance, including provisions for an extremely strong executive branch.
On February 5, 1956, the delegates adopted the constitution, and the signing ceremony took place the following day. The event attracted nearly 1,000 spectators, and the building was later renamed Signers' Hall in commemoration. The constitution was then put to a vote, and on April 24, 1956, it was ratified by the people of Alaska with overwhelming approval. The Alaska Constitution officially took effect on January 3, 1959, when Alaska was granted statehood, becoming the 49th state of the United States.
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It took effect in 1959
The Alaska Constitution was signed on February 6, 1956, and became effective on January 3, 1959, when Alaska officially became a US state. This was the culmination of a decades-long statehood movement, which began in the 1920s and gained momentum in the 1940s.
The constitution was drafted by 55 delegates from across Alaska, who met at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. The drafting process lasted 75 days, from November 8, 1955, to February 5, 1956. The document was then ratified by the people of Alaska on April 24, 1956.
The Alaska Statehood Act was introduced in 1916, just four years after Alaska was organised as a territory. However, due to a lack of interest from Alaskans, the bill was never introduced. It was proposed again in 1943, with the backing of President Harry Truman, but it faced opposition from powerful southern US Congressmen.
It wasn't until 1955 that the territorial legislature authorised a constitutional convention, and the constitution was adopted in 1956. The statehood bill was passed by the House in 1958, thanks to the convincing arguments of Bob Bartlett, and it was finally signed into law by President Eisenhower on July 7, 1958. This paved the way for Alaska to become the 49th US state on January 3, 1959, and for its constitution to take effect.
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The document has 15 articles
The Alaska Constitution is the fundamental document outlining the state's framework for governance. The current constitution, which has been in effect since 1959, consists of 15 articles that establish the rights, powers, and structure of the state and its government.
Article I of the Alaska Constitution has 25 sections and is dedicated to declaring the rights of citizens. It mirrors the U.S. Constitution in guaranteeing civil rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, and protection from discrimination based on "race, color, creed, sex, or national origin." It also ensures due process rights and the right to a trial by jury.
Article III defines the executive branch's powers and the Governor of Alaska's role. This article specifies the Governor's qualifications, term length, responsibilities, and provisions for absences.
Article IV focuses on the judicial branch, outlining the powers and responsibilities of the supreme court, superior court, and judicial council. It also addresses qualification requirements, term lengths, and vacancy provisions for judicial positions.
The remaining articles cover various aspects of Alaska's governance, including the legislative process, appropriations, and the rights and obligations of citizens.
The constitution-drafting process began in 1955 when 55 delegates, including 14 lawyers, were elected to represent Alaska's diverse population. They assembled at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, inspired by sources such as the "Model State Constitution" and the constitutions of other states. The document they produced was adopted on February 5, 1956, and ratified by Alaskans on April 24, 1956, with overwhelming approval. It became effective on January 3, 1959, when Alaska officially gained statehood, marking a significant milestone in the state's history and granting Alaskans a strong voice in their governance.
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It has been amended 28 times
The Alaska Constitution has been amended 28 times. The current state constitution has 15 articles and 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 constitution was ratified by the people of Alaska on April 24, 1956, and became operative on January 3, 1959, when Alaska officially became a state. The constitution was drafted by 55 delegates at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, and it was approved by the voters of Alaska in April 1956. The delegates were elected from across the territory, and they met for 75 days to create the document. The constitution was adopted by the delegates on February 5, 1956, and the signing of the constitution the following day attracted nearly 1,000 spectators.
The constitution was named "one of the best, if not the best, state constitutions ever written" by the National Municipal League. It has been amended several times since its ratification to keep it up-to-date and relevant. The most recent amendment was on November 2, 2004, when voters approved Measure 1.
The Alaska Constitution is a concise document, containing 12,000 words. It is shorter than the Louisiana constitution, written in 1921, which has 201,423 words, and longer than the Rhode Island constitution of 1843, which has 6,650 words. The Alaska Constitution compares in length to the New Jersey constitution of 1947, which has 12,500 words.
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The constitution is 12,000 words long
The Alaska Constitution, which is 12,000 words long, was ratified in 1956 and went into effect in 1959. This length is only half the average state constitution length of 26,000 words. The delegates aimed to produce a concise, general document modelled on the United States Constitution.
The constitution was adopted by the delegates on 5 February 1956. The signing of the constitution the following day attracted nearly 1,000 spectators. The constitution was ratified by territorial voters on 24 April 1956, and became effective when the Alaska Statehood Proclamation was signed on 3 January 1959.
The constitution has 15 articles, outlining a state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. Article I of the Alaska Constitution has a total of 25 sections. It declares the rights of citizens, including civil rights, such as not to be discriminated against based on "race, colour, creed, sex, or national origin". Many of its sections mirror the U.S. Constitution, including freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and petition, and rights of due process and trial by jury.
The delegates drew on several sources for inspiration, including the National Municipal League's "Model State Constitution", as well as the recently adopted constitutions of Missouri, New Jersey, and Hawaii, and studies by consultants and constitutional law scholars.
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Frequently asked questions
The Alaska Constitution was signed on February 6, 1956.
The Alaska Constitution came into effect on January 3, 1959, when Alaska became a U.S. state.
The signing of the Alaska Constitution attracted nearly 1,000 spectators.
The Alaska Constitution was last amended on November 2, 2004.
