Isabella Carter
The Utah Constitution, which defines the state's government structure and operation, was drafted in 1895 and ratified in 1896. It is the state's first and only constitution, though it has been amended 134 times since its adoption. The constitution was drafted at a convention in Salt Lake City, which was the territory's eighth attempt at writing a constitution that would be approved by Congress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date written | March-May 1895 |
| Date ratified | 5 November 1895 |
| Date adopted | 4 January 1896 |
| Number of delegates | 107 |
| Location | Salt Lake City |
| Number of previous constitutions drafted | 7 |
| Number of articles | 22 |
| Number of amendments | 134 |
| Last amendment | 5 November 2024 |
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What You'll Learn
The Utah Constitution was drafted in 1895
The 1895 Convention was a complex process, reflecting local concerns and borrowing from the constitutions of other states within the Union. The delegates debated and decided on various issues, including the state's boundaries, the right of suffrage, the distribution of powers, and the structure of the legislative, executive, and judicial departments. The resulting constitution was a unique product of Utah's unusual history and experience in striving for statehood.
The constitution proposed by the delegates was ratified on November 5, 1895, by a popular vote of 31,305 to 7,607. This was a significant step towards Utah's admission to the Union as a state. When voting, citizens were given a ballot with both "yes" and "no" printed on it and were instructed to erase the word they disagreed with. The constitution was later approved by Congress, and Utah officially became a state on January 4, 1896.
The Utah Constitution, as ratified in 1896, consisted of 22 articles and has since been amended 134 times, with voters most recently approving new amendments in November 2024. The constitution outlines the framework for Utah's government, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, as well as individual and civil rights. It also includes provisions such as the prohibition of polygamy and "plural marriages," the requirement for free public schooling, and the process for impeaching officials.
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It was ratified in 1896
The Utah Constitution was ratified in 1896, marking the culmination of a lengthy and complex process that began with the territory's quest for statehood. The constitution has been amended 134 times since its ratification, reflecting the evolving nature of governance and the protection of individual rights in the state.
The journey towards the Utah Constitution started in 1849 when early Mormon settlers first sought status as a territory and drafted a constitution for the State of Deseret. This initial effort was followed by several attempts to craft a constitution that would be acceptable for statehood. The challenges were compounded by disputes between the local population and the federal government, including issues related to the practice of polygamy.
In 1890, a pivotal moment arrived when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints renounced polygamy, clearing the way for Utah to pursue statehood. The work of drafting the constitution commenced in 1895 with the convening of the Salt Lake Convention, also known as the Utah Constitutional Convention. This gathering of 107 delegates between March and May of that year engaged in robust debates on fundamental issues concerning individual rights and state policy.
The resulting constitution, approved by popular vote and Congress, formed the foundation for Utah's governance upon its admission to the Union as a state in 1896. The document's ratification marked a significant milestone in Utah's journey towards statehood and reflected the unique history and experience of the state. The constitution has since undergone numerous amendments, ensuring its adaptability to the changing needs and values of Utah's citizens.
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The constitution has been amended 134 times
The Utah Constitution, which was drafted in 1895 and adopted in 1896, has been amended 134 times. This is not surprising given that the constitution-making process was the eighth attempt to write a constitution for the territory of the State of Deseret or Utah. The constitution-making process was also complicated, with the text being far longer than that of the 1787 Convention and covering matters of individual rights and public policy that the Federal Convention did not discuss.
The Utah Constitution can be amended through a legislative or convention-referred constitutional amendment, both of which require voter approval. The most recent amendments to the Utah Constitution were approved by voters on November 5, 2024, with two amendments being approved.
The amendments to the Utah Constitution have addressed a range of issues, including the protection of individual rights, the structure and powers of the state government, and other matters such as education and gambling. For example, Article I, § 12 of the Utah Constitution, which provides protection against self-incrimination, was interpreted by the Utah Supreme Court in Hansen v. Owens (1980) as providing greater protection than the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution. Similarly, Article I, § 14 of the Utah Constitution has been interpreted as providing greater protection to the privacy of homes and automobiles than the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution.
In addition to the 22 articles of the Utah Constitution, there are also ordinances that address specific issues. For example, an ordinance prohibits polygamy and "plural marriages" and requires the consent of the United States and the state to revoke or alter parts of the constitution. Another ordinance mandates free public schooling that is "free from sectarian control".
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It has 22 articles
The Utah Constitution, which was drafted in 1895 and adopted in 1896, consists of 22 articles. The articles outline the 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 Utah Constitution is entitled "Declaration of Rights" and consists of 29 sections. In 2004, Utah and many other states changed their constitutions to prevent the recognition of gay marriage. As a result, Section 29 was added to Article I, stating that "marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman."
Article II, entitled "State Boundaries," consists of one section, while Article III, "Ordinance," has four sections. Article III includes the prohibition of "polygamous or plural marriages," a concession made by Mormon leaders to achieve statehood. An ordinance was added to require the consent of the United States and the state to revoke or alter parts of the constitution.
Article IV, "Elections and Right of Suffrage," has ten sections, and Article V, "Distribution of Powers," consists of a single section. Article VI, "Legislative Department," has 33 sections (with no section 23), and Article VII, "Executive Department," consists of 21 sections (with no sections 13 or 17). Article VIII, "Judicial Department," contains 16 sections.
The Utah Constitution has been amended 134 times, with the most recent amendments approved by voters on November 5, 2024.
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It was the eighth attempt to write a constitution for Utah
The Utah Constitution, which was adopted in 1896, was the eighth attempt to write a constitution for the territory of the State of Deseret or Utah. The constitution was drafted at a convention that opened on March 4, 1895, in Salt Lake City. It was the first constitution for Utah since the territory was established in 1850, with previous attempts dating back to 1849.
Utahns had drafted seven previous constitutions as part of repeated attempts to become a state. The first proposed constitution of the State of Deseret was written in 1849 when the territory was governed as a theocracy. This initial attempt guaranteed freedom of religion in familiar American strong terms, and the Mormons referred to their polity as "The Kingdom of God and His Laws with the Keys and Powers Thereof, and Judgment in the Hands of His Servants, Ahman Christ."
The 1895 convention was a significant milestone in Utah's journey towards statehood. It brought together 107 delegates who met between March and May to debate and deliberate on fundamental issues concerning individual rights and state policy. The text produced at this convention was far more detailed and comprehensive than the 1787 Convention text, reflecting the maturity of the federal system and the unique concerns of the local population.
The efforts of the 1895 convention were ultimately successful, and the proposed constitution was approved by popular vote and Congress. This paved the way for Utah's admission as a state in 1896, marking the end of a nearly fifty-year struggle for statehood. The constitution has since been amended multiple times, reflecting the evolving nature of governance and the needs of the state.
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Frequently asked questions
The Utah Constitution was written in 1895.
The Utah Constitution has been amended 134 times, with the last amendment being in 2020.
There were 107 delegates at the 1895 convention.
The Utah Constitution was ratified on 5 November 1895 and came into effect on 4 January 1896.
