Eleanor Finch
California has had two constitutions. The first was ratified on November 13, 1849, and the second on May 7, 1879. The first constitution was adopted at the California Constitutional Convention on October 10, 1849, and the second has been amended over 480 times. The California Constitution is one of the longest in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification of the first Constitution of California | 13 November 1849 |
| Date of California's admittance into the Union | 1850 |
| Date of ratification of the second Constitution of California | 7 May 1879 |
| Number of times the second Constitution has been amended | Over 480 |
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What You'll Learn
California's first constitution was ratified on November 13, 1849
The first constitution was created after the United States Congress failed to set up any government for California in 1848. BVT Brigadier-General Bennet Riley, the Military Governor at the time, issued a proclamation calling for the establishment of a state constitution or a territorial government.
California's current constitution was ratified on May 7, 1879, and has been amended over 480 times. The constitution can be amended or revised through a legislative proposal, a convention to revise the constitution, or an initiative.
The California Constitution is one of the longest in the world, and its length has been attributed to various factors, such as the influence of previous Mexican civil law, a lack of faith in elected officials, and the fact that many initiatives take the form of constitutional amendments.
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California's current constitution was ratified on May 7, 1879
The original California Constitution was adopted at the California Constitutional Convention on October 10, 1849. The United States Congress in 1848 failed to set up any government for California, either territorial or state, and adjourned early in 1849 without taking any action. BVT Brigadier-General Bennet Riley, then the Military Governor, issued a proclamation calling for the establishment of a state constitution or a territorial government.
The California Constitution is one of the longest in the world. Its length has been attributed to a variety of factors, such as the influence of previous Mexican civil law, a lack of faith in elected officials, and the fact that many initiatives take the form of constitutional amendments. The constitution can be amended or revised through a legislative proposal, a convention to revise the constitution, or an initiative.
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The California Constitution is one of the world's longest
The California Constitution has a comprehensive revision history, with a California Constitution Revision Commission working on revisions from 1964 to 1976. The electorate ratified the commission's revisions in 1966, 1970, 1972, and 1974, but rejected the 1968 revision, which would have made the state's superintendent of schools an appointed rather than elected official. The Commission ultimately removed about 40,000 words from the constitution.
The constitution of California can be amended or revised through three methods: legislative proposal, convention to revise the constitution, or initiative. A legislative proposal requires a roll call vote in the Legislature with two-thirds of the members of each house concurring. To convene a constitutional convention, a roll call vote is also required, with two-thirds of each house's membership concurring. Any amendment proposed by the convention may then be submitted to the voters at a general election.
The California Constitution is a detailed and comprehensive document, reflecting the state's history, values, and governance. Its length and complexity are a result of the state's dynamic and evolving nature, ensuring that the constitution remains relevant and responsive to the needs of its citizens.
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The 1849 constitution was published in both English and Spanish
California's first constitution was approved in 1849 and was published in both English and Spanish. The constitution was ratified on November 13, 1849, prior to California's admittance into the Union in 1850. The original Constitution for California was adopted at the California Constitutional Convention on October 10, 1849.
The 1849 Constitution established California as a free and independent state, with a republican form of government. It guaranteed certain fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, and established a system of representative democracy, with a governor, a legislature, and a supreme court. It also included provisions for public education, taxation, and the protection of private property rights.
The 1849 Constitution was a significant step forward in the development of California as a state, and it played an important role in shaping the state's future. It provided a framework for the state's government and established the rights and responsibilities of its citizens. The constitution has since been revised and amended numerous times, but the 1849 version remains an important historical document that reflects the values and aspirations of the early Californians.
Today, the California Constitution is one of the longest in the world, with a length that has been attributed to various factors, including the influence of previous Mexican civil law and a lack of faith in elected officials. The constitution can be amended or revised through a legislative proposal, a convention to revise the constitution, or an initiative.
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The 1968 revision was rejected by the electorate
California has had two Constitutions. The first Constitution of California was ratified on 13 November 1849, prior to California's admittance into the Union in 1850. California's current constitution was ratified on 7 May 1879 and has been amended over 480 times.
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Frequently asked questions
The first California Constitution was ratified on November 13, 1849.
The second California Constitution was ratified on May 7, 1879.
The second California Constitution has been amended over 480 times.
California has had two Constitutions.
