Omar Bennett
The Minnesota Constitution was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in a special election held on 13 October 1857. It was then ratified by the United States Senate on 11 May 1858, marking the admittance of Minnesota to the Union. The Minnesota Constitution has since been amended nearly 120 times, with the most significant being a reorganisation in 1974 to simplify the document and make it more accessible to modern readers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date initially approved by residents of Minnesota Territory | 13 October 1857 |
| Date ratified by the United States Senate | 11 May 1858 |
| Date Minnesota became a state | May 1858 |
| Date amendments were ratified by voters | 15 April 1858 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The Minnesota Constitution was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in a special election on 13 October 1857
- The Minnesota Constitution was ratified by the United States Senate on 11 May 1858
- The Minnesota Constitution was amended twice prior to ratification
- The Minnesota Constitution was amended in 1974 to simplify the document
- The Minnesota Territory was governed by an appointed governor and secretary and had an appointed judicial system
The Minnesota Constitution was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in a special election on 13 October 1857
The Minnesota Constitution was approved by voters in a special election, with ballots only providing for an affirmative answer. The tally was 30,055 for acceptance and 571 for rejection. The constitution was then sent to Washington, D.C. to be ratified by the Senate. A certified copy of the Democratic version was transmitted by the territorial secretary, a Democrat. However, a copy of the Republican version was also sent by an unknown party, and there is good historical evidence to show that both versions were available to Congress members.
The Minnesota Constitution was amended twice prior to ratification, and nearly 120 amendments have been approved since, with the most significant being a reorganisation in 1974 to simplify the document and make it easier for modern readers to comprehend. The procedure for acquiring statehood requires a constitution to be approved by the voters of the proposed state and then by Congress. In the case of Minnesota, the constitution ratified by Congress was not the original constitution, as it had been amended.
The Founders' Main Objective Behind Ratifying the Constitution
You may want to see also
The Minnesota Constitution was ratified by the United States Senate on 11 May 1858
The procedure for acquiring statehood requires a constitution to be approved by the voters of the proposed state, and then by Congress. In December 1857, the Minnesota Constitution was submitted to the United States Senate for ratification. The constitution that was eventually approved by Congress on 11 May 1858 was an amended version, not the original adopted by the constitutional convention and approved by the voters in 1857.
The Organic Act served as the constitution for the Minnesota Territory from June 1849 until May 1858, when Minnesota became a state. The capital of the Minnesota Territory was St. Paul, which became the permanent state capital after an unsuccessful attempt was made in 1857 to move the capital to St. Peter.
Abortion Legality: Constitution Ratification and Historical Context
You may want to see also
The Minnesota Constitution was amended twice prior to ratification
The Minnesota Constitution was amended twice before it was ratified. The Constitution of the State of Minnesota was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in a special election held on 13 October 1857. The Minnesota Constitution was then submitted to the United States Senate for ratification in December 1857. However, when the bill was reported back from the Senate, historians report that the Republican Constitution was attached. It is believed that the constitution was amended twice prior to ratification. Minnesota's settlement and organisation were influenced by three factors: force, as it was conquered by European powers and later the United States; accident, as some European settlers arrived following the fur trade and American civilians drifted into the territory seeking opportunities; and choice, as the American settlers in the territory decided to establish a civil society.
Compromise of 1789: What Was Agreed to Ratify the Constitution?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Minnesota Constitution was amended in 1974 to simplify the document
The Minnesota Constitution was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in a special election held on 13 October 1857. It was then ratified by the United States Senate on 11 May 1858, marking the admittance of Minnesota to the Union.
Nearly 120 amendments have been approved since, with perhaps the most significant being a reorganisation in 1974 to simplify the document, making it easier for modern readers to comprehend and reducing the extensive verbiage. The amendment was approved by voters on 5 November 1974. It did not alter the meaning of the constitution, although if there is a case where meaning is ambiguous, the original document remains the final authority.
The previous wording of the constitution, including all of the amendments approved since its adoption in 1857, is printed in the Minnesota Legislative Manual 1973-74, pages 445-484. A bill of rights is featured prominently in the constitution as Article I. There are seventeen sections, including many that echo the amendments to the United States Constitution by subject, but not necessarily by language.
In 1971, the legislature created a commission to study the constitution and make recommendations to maintain its utility. After reviewing the document for two years, it was recommended that the constitution be amended to rewrite it in modern language and allow easier reference.
The Evolution of Pennsylvania's Constitution: Section 9's Ratification
You may want to see also
The Minnesota Territory was governed by an appointed governor and secretary and had an appointed judicial system
The Minnesota Constitution was initially approved by the residents of Minnesota Territory in a special election held on October 13, 1857. The tally was 30,055 for acceptance and 571 for rejection. The constitution was then ratified by the United States Senate on May 11, 1858, marking the admittance of Minnesota to the Union.
The procedure for acquiring statehood requires a constitution to be approved by the voters of the proposed state and then by Congress. In December 1857, the Minnesota Constitution was submitted to the United States Senate for ratification. A certified copy of the Democratic constitution was transmitted to the Senate by the territorial secretary, a Democrat. However, when the bill was reported back from the Senate, historians report that the Republican constitution was attached. There is substantial authority to suggest that both constitutions were before Congress when Minnesota was admitted to the Union on May 11, 1858.
The Organic Act served as the constitution for the Minnesota Territory from June 1849 until May 1858, when Minnesota became a state. The boundaries of the Minnesota Territory included the eastern half of the Dakotas to the Missouri River, but this area was subsequently detached when Minnesota became a state. The capital of the Minnesota Territory was St. Paul, which became the permanent state capital after an unsuccessful attempt was made in 1857 to move the capital to St. Peter.
Dangers of Ratifying the Constitution: Patrick Henry's Perspective
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
October 13, 1857.
May 11, 1858.
Nearly 120.
A reorganization in 1974 to simplify the document, making it easier for modern readers to comprehend and reducing the extensive verbiage.
