Jonah Patel
The Wyoming Constitution, the supreme governing document of the state of Wyoming, was adopted on September 30, 1889, and ratified by voters on November 5, 1889. It is the only constitution in the state's history and has been amended 71 times. The document was drafted by 45 delegates (some sources state 49) in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in just 25 days. It was approved by a statewide vote of 6,272 to 1,923 (some sources state 1,903 or 1,923) and Wyoming became a state on July 10, 1890, the 44th to be admitted to the Union.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Adopted | September 30, 1889 |
| Date Ratified | November 5, 1889 |
| Number of Delegates | 45 |
| Vote Count | 6,272 to 1,903 |
| Number of Articles | 21 |
| Number of Amendments | 71 |
| Last Amendment | November 5, 2024 |
| Number of Delegates in Cheyenne | 49 |
| Date Wyoming Became a State | July 10, 1890 |
| Number of People in Wyoming in 1890 | 62,555 |
| Article 1 Title | Declaration of Rights |
| Number of Sections in Article 1 | 39 |
| Article 2 Title | Distribution of Powers |
| Number of Sections in Article 2 | 1 |
| Article 3 Title | Legislative Department |
| Number of Sections in Article 3 | 53 |
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What You'll Learn
The Wyoming Constitution was adopted on September 30, 1889
The Wyoming Constitution, the supreme governing document of the state of Wyoming, was adopted on September 30, 1889. It was ratified by voters on November 5, 1889, with a vote of 6,272 in favour and 1,903 against. The constitution was drafted by 49 delegates who met in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and in just 25 days assembled the document. The delegates were in a hurry as they knew that if they could produce a document quickly, it would put more pressure on Congress to admit Wyoming as a new state. The constitution was modelled on the U.S. Constitution, which was drawn up 100 years earlier, and includes similar language to the constitutions of Washington, Montana, and the Dakotas, which were all admitted to the union in the same year.
The Wyoming Constitution is quite different from the U.S. Constitution in many ways, most notably in length. At nearly 30,000 words, it is more than six times the length of the U.S. Constitution. It also includes 21 articles, compared to the seven in the U.S. Constitution. The Wyoming Constitution begins with a preamble followed by Article I, the Declaration of Rights, which consists of 39 sections. This article includes statements such as “all power is inherent in the people” and that “all members of the human race are equal . . . in their inherent right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” It also includes the controversial provision that women had the right to vote and hold office, as had been the law in Wyoming since 1869.
Article II of the Wyoming Constitution is entitled "Distribution of Powers" and consists of one section. Articles II through V and XII through XVII set up the structure of the government, including the three distinct branches of the legislative, executive, and judicial departments. The executive branch structure is quite different from the national one, with the governor and four other officers—secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, and superintendent of public instruction—all elected statewide. Many important decisions must be agreed on among these five officers, reducing the power of the governor compared to most other states.
Article III of the Wyoming Constitution is entitled "Legislative Department" and consists of 53 sections, one of which has been repealed. The constitution also established a state university, which was to be governed by a board and "equally open to students of both sexes, irrespective of race or colour." The university was to receive enough state funds to keep higher education "as nearly free as possible." In addition to the provisions on education and women's suffrage, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention also adopted innovative ideas in water law, including the progressive policy that the state would own all water within its borders and allocate it to landowners for beneficial use.
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It was ratified by voters on November 5, 1889
The Wyoming Constitution was ratified by voters on November 5, 1889, with 6,272 votes in favour and 1,903 against. This was a significant moment in the state's history, as it paved the way for Wyoming to become a state the following year. The constitution-making process was a hurried one, with delegates from across Wyoming Territory working quickly to draft a document that would put pressure on Congress to admit Wyoming as a new state. The delegates were aware that Congress was in session, and they wanted to seize the opportunity to present their case for statehood.
The constitution they produced was quite different from the US Constitution, which was drafted 100 years earlier. The Wyoming Constitution is nearly 30,000 words long, more than six times the length of the US Constitution. One of the most notable differences is the inclusion of a Declaration of Rights, which consists of 39 sections. This declaration sets forth specific political and civil rights, including the right of women to vote and hold office, a provision that caused controversy when the Wyoming statehood question came before Congress in 1890. It also includes broader limitations on the role of government than the US Constitution.
Another key difference is the structure of the executive branch. While the president and vice president are the only two executive officers elected nationwide, the Wyoming Constitution provides for the governor and four other officers to be elected statewide. These officers are the secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, and superintendent of public instruction, and they share power when it comes to making important decisions about state lands, state funds, and the maintenance of state buildings in Cheyenne. This structure reduces the power of the governor compared to other states.
The Wyoming Constitution also includes progressive provisions regarding water law and education. For example, it states that the state would own all water within its borders and allocate it to landowners for beneficial use. Additionally, the constitution established a state university that would be "equally open to students of both sexes, irrespective of race or colour". The university would be governed by a board and receive enough state funds to keep higher education "as nearly free as possible". These provisions reflect the innovative and forward-thinking nature of the Wyoming Constitution, which has been amended 71 times since its ratification in 1889 to adapt to the changing needs and priorities of the state.
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Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890
The Wyoming Constitution is the supreme governing document of the US state of Wyoming. It is the fundamental document that outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. The current Wyoming Constitution, adopted on September 30, 1889, is the state's first and only constitution. It was ratified by voters on November 5, 1889, and Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890, when President Harrison signed the Statehood Bill.
The constitution was drafted by 45 delegates (another source says 49) in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in just 25 days. The delegates were chosen in a special election called by Territorial Governor Francis E. Warren, who knew that producing a constitution quickly would put pressure on Congress to admit Wyoming as a new state. The constitution was approved by a statewide vote of 6,272 to 1,903 (another source says 1,923) on November 5, 1889.
The Wyoming Constitution includes a Declaration of Rights, which sets forth particular political and civil rights. It also includes broader limitations on the role of government than the US Constitution. The document is nearly 30,000 words long—more than six times the length of the US Constitution.
Wyoming's constitution established a state university, which had been in existence since 1886. The university was to be governed by a board and "equally open to students of both sexes, irrespective of race or color." The constitution stated that the university would receive enough state funds to keep higher education "as nearly free as possible."
One notable difference between Wyoming's constitution and the US Constitution is the structure of the executive branch. Wyoming's constitution provides for the governor and four other officers—the secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, and superintendent of public instruction—to be elected statewide. Many important decisions, such as those related to state lands and funds, must be agreed upon by all five officers, reducing the power of the governor compared to other states.
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![Constitution of the State of Wyoming : Adopted by the People at a General Election Held November 5Th, 1889. 1899 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The constitution was drafted by 45/49 delegates in 25 days
The Wyoming Constitution is the state's supreme governing document. It was drafted in 1889, when 45 or 49 delegates met in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and assembled the document in just 25 days. The delegates had been chosen in a special election called by Territorial Governor Francis E. Warren, who knew that producing a constitution quickly would put pressure on Congress to admit Wyoming as a new state. The constitution was modelled on the U.S. Constitution, which was drafted 100 years earlier, and included similar language to the constitutions of Washington, Montana, and the Dakotas, which were all admitted to the union in the same year.
The Wyoming Constitution is significantly longer than the U.S. Constitution, with nearly 30,000 words. It consists of 21 articles, the first of which is a "Declaration of Rights" in 39 sections. This article includes statements such as “all power is inherent in the people” and that “all members of the human race are equal...in their inherent right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” It also includes the groundbreaking provision that "women have the right to vote and hold office", which had been the law in Wyoming since 1869 but was not granted nationwide until 1920.
Article IV, Section 11 of the Wyoming Constitution establishes an executive branch structure that differs from the national model. It provides that the governor and four other officers—the secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, and superintendent of public instruction—must all be elected statewide. This structure reduces the power of the governor compared to other states, as each member has an equal vote on policy matters.
The Wyoming Constitution was ratified by voters on November 5, 1889, and Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890, when President Harrison signed the Statehood Bill. The constitution has since been amended 71 times, most recently in 2024.
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It has been amended 71 times, most recently in 2024
The Wyoming Constitution has been amended 71 times, most recently on November 5, 2024, when voters approved a new amendment. This was the first state constitution in the US to explicitly give women the right to vote.
Amending the Constitution
The Wyoming Constitution can be amended with a legislative or convention-referred constitutional amendment. All amendments require a simple majority vote (50% plus one) for voter approval. A minimum of 42 votes in the Wyoming House of Representatives and 21 votes in the Wyoming State Senate are required for the Wyoming State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The Wyoming Constitution
The Wyoming Constitution is the state constitution of Wyoming. It is the supreme governing document of the state and outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. The current Wyoming Constitution has 21 articles. It was adopted on September 30, 1889, and ratified by voters on November 5, 1889, by a vote of 6,272 to 1,923 (some sources state 1,903). Wyoming became the 44th state on July 10, 1890, when it was admitted to the Union by an Act of Congress.
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Frequently asked questions
The Wyoming Constitution was signed on September 30, 1889, and ratified by voters on November 5, 1889.
6,272 people voted in favor of ratifying the Wyoming Constitution, while 1,903 voted against it.
45 of the 55 elected delegates signed the document.
The Wyoming Constitution was the first constitution in the United States to explicitly give women the right to vote. It also established a state university that was open to students of all sexes, races, and colors.
Wyoming became the 44th state admitted to the Union on July 10, 1890.
