Isabella Carter
The Washington State Constitution was ratified in 1889, over three decades after Washington Territory was divided from Oregon Territory. The constitution was adopted as part of Washington Territory's path to statehood. An earlier constitution was drafted and ratified in 1878, but it was never officially adopted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date ratified | 1 October 1889 |
| Date of statehood | 11 November 1889 |
| Previous constitution | 1878 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Washington State Constitution was ratified in 1889
- An earlier constitution was drafted and ratified in 1878
- The territory of Washington voted to apply for statehood in 1876
- The first constitutional convention met in Walla Walla, Washington
- The second constitutional convention met in Olympia, Washington
The Washington State Constitution was ratified in 1889
The Washington State Constitution describes the fundamental structure and function of the state's government. It consists of a preamble and 32 articles. The already progressive Washington Constitution was made even more progressive in 1912 with the addition of the right of citizens to petition initiatives and referendums, essentially giving voters the power to create statutes.
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An earlier constitution was drafted and ratified in 1878
The Washington State Constitution was ratified in 1889, over three decades after Washington Territory was divided out of Oregon Territory. However, an earlier constitution was drafted and ratified in 1878. This first constitution was never officially adopted.
In 1876, the territory of Washington voted to apply for statehood. Orange Jacobs, the territory's delegate, was sent to Congress to request an enabling act that would allow statehood after a constitution was ratified. An act was passed by the Washington Territorial Legislative Assembly to convene a constitutional convention. The first convention met in Walla Walla, Washington, in 1878 to draft the constitution. When it was presented to voters in November, it was overwhelmingly approved.
However, this constitution was not enough to achieve statehood for Washington. A second constitutional convention met in Olympia, Washington, from July 4 to August 22, 1889. This time, 75 delegates helped draft the constitution, which was ratified on October 1, 1889. President Harrison issued a proclamation admitting Washington to the Union on November 11, 1889.
The Washington State Constitution describes the fundamental structure and function of the state's government. It consists of a preamble and 32 articles. The already progressive Washington Constitution was made yet more progressive in 1912 with the addition of the right of citizens to petition initiatives and referendums, essentially giving voters the power to create statutes.
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The territory of Washington voted to apply for statehood in 1876
A second constitutional convention met in Olympia, Washington, from July 4 to August 22, 1889. This time, 75 delegates helped draft the constitution, which was ratified on October 1, 1889. President Harrison issued a proclamation admitting Washington to the Union on November 11, 1889.
The Washington State Constitution was ratified over three decades after Washington Territory was divided out of Oregon Territory by Congress in 1853. The already progressive Washington Constitution was made even more progressive in 1912 with the addition of the right of citizens to petition initiatives and referendums, essentially giving voters the power to create statutes.
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The first constitutional convention met in Walla Walla, Washington
A second constitutional convention met in Olympia, Washington, in 1889, with 75 delegates helping to draft the constitution. This constitution was ratified on 1 October 1889, and President Harrison issued a proclamation admitting Washington to the Union on 11 November 1889.
The Washington State Constitution describes the fundamental structure and function of the state's government. It consists of a preamble and 32 articles. The already progressive Washington Constitution was made even more progressive in 1912 with the addition of the right of citizens to petition initiatives and referendums, essentially giving voters the power to create statutes.
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The second constitutional convention met in Olympia, Washington
The 1878 convention had resulted in a constitution that was overwhelmingly approved by voters, but it was never officially adopted. This was because, in 1877, Orange Jacobs, Washington Territory's delegate to the US Congress, had requested an enabling act that would allow Washington to become a state as soon as a state constitution was drafted and ratified by the voters.
The 1889 convention was part of Washington Territory's path to statehood, and the constitution that was drafted was more progressive than its predecessor. It described the fundamental structure and function of the state's government and consisted of a preamble and 32 articles.
President Harrison issued a proclamation admitting Washington to the Union on November 11, 1889.
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Frequently asked questions
The Washington State Constitution was ratified on 1 October 1889.
Yes, an earlier constitution was drafted and ratified in 1878 but it was never officially adopted.
A second constitutional convention met in Olympia, Washington from 4 July to 22 August 1889. 75 delegates helped draft the constitution.
President Harrison issued a proclamation admitting Washington to the Union on 11 November 1889.
