Simone Lawson
California's current constitution was last amended on November 5, 2024, when voters approved Proposition 3. California's constitution was first drafted in 1849 and has been amended or revised numerous times since then. The constitution is among the longest in the world, with an average of five amendments per year. From 1911 to 1986, it was amended or revised over 500 times, and by 1962 it had grown to 75,000 words. This led to the creation of a California Constitution Revision Commission, which worked on a comprehensive revision of the constitution from 1964 to 1976.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Last Amendment | 5 November 2024 |
| Number of Amendments | 480-524 |
| Average Number of Amendments Per Year | 5 |
| Last Amendment | Proposition 3 |
| Amendment Process | Legislative proposal, convention to revise constitution, or initiative |
| Previous Amendment | 1974 |
Explore related products
$19.99 $19.99
What You'll Learn
California's constitution was first ratified in 1849
California's constitution was first ratified on November 13, 1849, at the 1849 Constitutional Convention of Monterey, following the American Conquest of California and the Mexican-American War. This was before California's admission to the Union in 1850. The first constitution was drafted in both English and Spanish by American pioneers, European settlers, and Californios (Hispanics of California). It was also used to ban slavery in California, which was a free state.
The constitution was rewritten from scratch several times before the drafting of the current 1879 constitution, which has itself been amended or revised numerous times. The 1849 constitution was used until 1879, when the second constitution came into effect. The second constitution was ratified on May 7, 1879, following the Sacramento Convention of 1878-79.
The California Constitution is among the longest in the world, predominantly due to additions by California ballot propositions, which allow for enacting amendments by a simple majority vote in a referendum. Since its enactment, the California constitution has been amended an average of five times each year. As a result, if California were a sovereign state, its constitution would rank as the second- or third-longest in the world by total word count.
The constitution can be amended with a legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment, all of which require voter approval. A constitutional amendment may be placed on the ballot by either a two-thirds vote in the California State Legislature or by signatures equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election through the exercise of the initiative power by the voters. The signature requirement for constitutional amendments is among the lowest thresholds for similar measures of any U.S. state.
Amendment History: The 15th Amendment's Addition
You may want to see also
It has been amended over 480 times
California's current constitution was ratified on May 7, 1879, and it has since been amended over 480 times. The state has had two constitutions, with the first being ratified on November 13, 1849, before California was admitted to the Union in 1850. The second constitution came into effect in 1879.
The Constitution of California is among the longest in the world, primarily due to the numerous additions made to it. The constitution has been amended an average of five times per year, with the ability to amend it by a simple majority vote in a referendum. This has led to accusations that the procedures for amending the constitution are too lax, resulting in a document filled with irrelevant details and incoherent policies.
The constitution can be amended or revised through a legislative proposal, a convention to revise the constitution, or an initiative. A legislative proposal requires a roll call vote in the legislature with two-thirds of the members of each house concurring. A convention to revise the constitution also requires a roll call vote with two-thirds of each house's membership concurring, after which any proposed amendments may be submitted to voters at a general election. For an initiative, electors may amend the constitution by gathering enough signatures on a petition to the Secretary of State.
The constitution was amended and ratified on several occasions in the 20th century, including in 1966, 1970, 1972, and 1974. In 1962, the constitution was approximately 75,000 words long, making it one of the lengthiest state constitutions at the time. This led to the creation of a California Constitution Revision Commission, which worked on a comprehensive revision of the constitution from 1964 to 1976.
Amendments: A Historical Timeline of the Constitution
You may want to see also
Amendments can be made via ballot propositions
California's current constitution was ratified on 7 May 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 can be amended with a legislative, citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment, all of which require voter approval. According to Article XVIII, Section 1 of the California Constitution, two-thirds of the membership of each chamber of the California State Legislature must propose an amendment, which then goes on a statewide ballot to be ratified or rejected by the state's voters. If measures conflict and they both get more than 50% of the vote, the one with the highest number of votes prevails.
The constitution has been amended an average of five times each year since its enactment. As a result, if California were a sovereign state, its constitution would rank as the second- or third-longest in the world by total word count. This has led to criticism from politicians and political scientists, who argue that the procedures for amending the California Constitution are too lax, resulting in a constitution filled with irrelevant details and incoherent policies.
Amendment History: Second Amendment's Constitutional Past
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$45.95 $41.35
The constitution was rewritten in 1879
California has had two state constitutions. The first was ratified on November 13, 1849, and was drafted in both English and Spanish. This was before California's admittance to the Union in 1850. The second constitution was ratified on May 7, 1879, and has been amended over 480 times. The constitution was amended and ratified on 7 May 1879, following the Sacramento Convention of 1878–79. This second constitution came into effect in 1879, replacing the first constitution that had been in use until then.
The 1879 constitution was drafted in response to widespread public disgust with the powerful railroads that controlled California's politics and economy at the start of the 20th century. Progressive Era politicians pioneered the concept of aggressively amending the state constitution by initiative to remedy these issues. The constitution has been rewritten from scratch several times, with the current 1879 constitution also undergoing amendments and revisions.
The California Constitution is the primary organizing law for the state of California. It outlines the duties, powers, structures, and functions of the state government. The constitution-making process in California has involved the participation of various groups, including American pioneers, European settlers, and Californios (Hispanics of California).
The 1879 constitution has been subject to numerous amendments and revisions over the years. From 1911 to 1986, it was amended or revised over 500 times. By 1962, concerns about the length of the constitution led to the creation of a California Constitution Revision Commission. This commission worked on a comprehensive revision of the constitution from 1964 to 1976, with revisions approved by the electorate in 1966, 1970, 1972, and 1974.
The California Constitution is one of the longest in the world, with its length attributed to various factors such as the influence of previous Mexican civil law and a lack of faith in elected officials. The constitution-making and amendment processes in California have been designed to address the state's evolving needs and challenges.
The 13th Amendment: Freedom from Slavery in the US
You may want to see also
The constitution is one of the world's longest
The Constitution of California is one of the world's longest. It is the primary organising law for the US state of California, outlining the duties, powers, structures, and functions of the government of California. The constitution was first drafted in 1849 and has been amended several times since then. From 1911 to 1986, it was amended or revised over 500 times, with an average of five amendments per year. By 1962, it had grown to 75,000 words, longer than any other state constitution except Louisiana's.
The length of the California Constitution is attributed to several factors, including 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 ease of amending the constitution has been a point of contention, with some arguing that it has led to a document filled with irrelevant details and incoherent policies.
The California Constitution can be amended through legislative proposal, convention to revise the constitution, or initiative. Legislative proposals require a roll call vote in the legislature with two-thirds of the members of each house concurring. To convene a constitutional convention, a similar process is followed, with any amendments proposed then submitted to voters at a general election. For initiatives, electors may amend the constitution directly, but a petition with a sufficient number of voter signatures is required to include the amendment on the ballot.
The California Constitution includes a variety of specific provisions, such as defining English as the official language of California and establishing a compensation commission. It also provides broader individual rights than the United States Bill of Rights, such as stronger protections for free speech and prohibitions against cruel or unusual punishment.
The lengthy and frequently amended California Constitution reflects the state's unique relationship with its charter and government. While some criticise the ease of amending the document, others argue that it allows for a more responsive and adaptable legal framework.
The 104th Amendment: A Historic Ratification
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The California Constitution was last amended on November 5, 2024, when voters approved Proposition 3.
The California Constitution has been amended an average of five times each year since its enactment, with over 480 amendments since 1879. From 1911 to 1986, it was amended or revised over 500 times.
The California Constitution can be amended through a legislative proposal, a convention to revise the constitution, or an initiative. All amendments require voter approval.
Amendments can be proposed by the legislature or by citizens. Legislative proposals require a roll-call vote in the Legislature with two-thirds of the members of each house concurring. Citizen-proposed amendments require a petition with the required number of voter signatures.
The high number of amendments is partly due to the relatively simple process of amending the constitution. This has led to criticism that the procedures for amending the California Constitution are too lax, resulting in a constitution filled with irrelevant details and incoherent policies.
