Jonah Patel
The Oklahoma Constitution is the fundamental document that outlines the state's framework for governance, including its powers, structure, and limitations. It was adopted in 1907, the same year Oklahoma became the 46th state to join the United States, and has served as the bedrock of the state's laws and principles ever since. The document consists of 29-30 articles, with the first eight pertaining to the state government, and has been amended over 150 times. But who were the key figures involved in its creation?
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What You'll Learn
William H. Murray was the President of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention
The Oklahoma Constitutional Convention opened in Guthrie on November 20, 1906, with William H. Murray elected as its chairman and president. Murray, also known as "Alfalfa Bill" Murray, was a colourful figure who went on to become the ninth Governor of Oklahoma and the first Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
The convention was tasked with drafting a constitution for the proposed state of Oklahoma, which was to be formed from the merger of the Oklahoma Territory and the Indian Territory. This single statehood had been provided for by the Oklahoma Enabling Act, passed by the U.S. Congress on June 6, 1906.
The delegates to the convention, including 99 Democrats, 12 Republicans, and one independent, took on the challenge of creating a constitution that would secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, ensure just and rightful government, and promote the welfare and happiness of the people of Oklahoma. They drew inspiration from various sources, including previously written state constitutions, the proceedings of the Sequoyah Convention, and the U.S. Constitution.
Under Murray's leadership, the convention drafted a comprehensive document consisting of twenty-nine articles, with the first eight pertaining to the state government. The constitution established the separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and recognised the state's place in the Union, acknowledging the federal nature of the U.S. government. It also included a Bill of Rights, which enumerated the rights of citizens of the new state.
The Oklahoma Constitution, completed in March 1907, was put to a vote of the people and approved by a significant margin of 71 percent. On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma officially became the 46th state of the United States, with its constitution serving as the bedrock of its governance.
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The Sequoyah Constitution was the basis for Oklahoma's constitution
The Sequoyah Constitution was an American Indian-led attempt to secure statehood for Indian Territory as a jurisdiction separate from the Oklahoma Territory. The proposed state was to be called the State of Sequoyah. The Sequoyah Constitutional Convention met in Muskogee on August 21, 1905, and drafted a constitution, drew up a plan of government, and put together a map showing the counties to be established. They also elected delegates to go to the United States Congress to petition for statehood.
The Sequoyah Convention's proposals were put to a referendum in Indian Territory and received overwhelming endorsement by voters. However, the delegation received a cold reception in Washington, D.C., due to party politics, and failed to secure its goals. The hard work of the Sequoyah State Constitutional Convention was not entirely lost, however. When representatives from Indian Territory joined the Oklahoma State Constitutional Convention in Guthrie the next year, they brought their constitutional experience with them.
The Oklahoma Constitutional Convention opened in Guthrie on November 20, 1906. William H. Murray was elected chairman of the convention, and Charles N. Haskell was elected the majority floor leader by the Democrats. William Jennings Bryan encouraged the delegates to write "the very best constitution ever written" by consulting previously written state constitutions. The delegates complied and also consulted the proceedings of the Sequoyah Convention and the U.S. Constitution.
The Oklahoma Constitution, which came into being with the merger of the two territories in 1907, was approved by voters with a 71% yes vote. On November 16, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the necessary papers and announced, "Oklahoma is now a state." The Sequoyah Constitution served in large part as the basis for the constitution of the State of Oklahoma.
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The Oklahoma Constitution was amended 205 times
The Oklahoma Constitution, which came into being in 1907 with the merger of the two territories, has been amended 205 times. The constitution was drafted by the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention, which opened in Guthrie on November 20, 1906. William H. Murray was elected chairman of the convention, with Charles N. Haskell elected as the majority floor leader by the Democrats, and Henry Asp elected minority floor leader by the Republicans. William Jennings Bryan encouraged the delegates to create "the very best constitution ever written" by consulting previously written state constitutions, the proceedings of the Sequoyah Convention, and the U.S. Constitution.
The Oklahoma Constitution is a living document that has evolved with the state, reflecting an ongoing commitment to adapting and improving governance. The constitution provides three mechanisms for making amendments: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. All amendments require a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voter approval. Oklahoma was the second state to allow voters to initiate and approve amendments, a method called initiative and referendum.
The constitution has been amended numerous times, resulting in significant changes. For example, a 1941 amendment required the legislature to balance the state's budget, while an amendment passed in 1966 allowed for annual legislative sessions. In 1990, Oklahoma became the first state to place term limits on members of its state legislature through an amendment. The constitution has also been amended to address issues such as social security, Medicaid expansion, and the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
The Oklahoma Constitution consists of twenty-nine articles, with the first eight pertaining to the state government. Article One establishes the relationship between the state of Oklahoma and the United States federal government, recognising the US Constitution as the Supreme Law of the Land. This article establishes religious freedom, forbids polygamy, and mandates that public schools be taught in English. It also guarantees suffrage regardless of "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." The constitution's Bill of Rights Article enumerates thirty-three rights, including the right to vote, which was originally restricted to males but was amended in 1918 to include women.
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The Oklahoma Constitution was approved by 71% of voters
Bryan also wrote a letter to the convention, listing the items he hoped they would include. Bryan's letter acknowledged the importance of the separation of powers, and the convention's draft document reflected this by creating the legislative, executive, and judicial departments. The draft constitution also recognised the state as a part of the Union, giving a nod to the notion of federalism. The document established how the state of Oklahoma would relate to the United States federal government, stating that the US Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land. It also established religious freedom, forbade polygamy, and established public schools, which would be taught in English only.
The Oklahoma Constitution provided for three mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Oklahoma is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question to appear on the ballot every 20 years. The Oklahoma Constitution has been amended over 200 times, with voters approving 65 new amendments between 1991 and 2024. The last amendment was approved on November 5, 2024, when voters approved State Question 834.
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The Oklahoma Constitution was ratified in 1907
The delegates were encouraged by William Jennings Bryan to write "the very best constitution ever written" and to consult previously written state constitutions. They also looked to the proceedings of the Sequoyah Convention and the U.S. Constitution for guidance. The convention drafted a constitution, drew up a plan of organisation for the government, created a map showing the counties to be established, and elected delegates to petition for statehood.
The convention adjourned on March 15, 1907, and President Murray called the delegates together for several brief meetings before the document was put to a vote. The delegates made some slight changes and, after receiving written objections from President Roosevelt, a few minor revisions were made. The final document included provisions for the initiative and referendum, prohibition, strict corporate regulation, and women's suffrage in school elections.
The Oklahoma Constitution was approved by 71% of voters on September 17, 1907, the same month and day the U.S. Constitution was signed in 1787. On November 16, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the necessary papers, and Oklahoma became the 46th state to join the United States, ratifying both the U.S. Constitution and its own. At the time of its ratification, the Oklahoma Constitution was the nation's longest governing document, consisting of about fifty thousand words.
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Frequently asked questions
The first constitution of Oklahoma was written by the delegates of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention. William H. Murray was elected as the president of the convention, with Charles N. Haskell elected as the majority floor leader by the Democrats, and Henry Asp elected as the minority floor leader by the Republicans.
The Oklahoma Constitutional Convention began on November 20, 1906, and adjourned on March 15, 1907. The constitution was put to a vote on September 17, 1907, and was approved by 71% of voters.
The convention was held to draft a constitution for the proposed State of Oklahoma, which would be formed from the merger of the Indian and Oklahoma Territories.
William Jennings Bryan was considered the most important outside influence on the convention. He encouraged the delegates to create "the very best constitution ever written" by consulting previous state constitutions.
