Omar Bennett
The New Jersey Constitution has had a turbulent history, with three iterations since 1776. The current version, adopted in 1947, has been amended several times, but the process is more complex than in most other states. Unlike most states, New Jersey has only one method for amending its constitution: legislative referral under Article IX. This involves a potential amendment being submitted through the Senate or General Assembly, voted on by both houses, and then voted on by the people of New Jersey. The constitution also has some unique provisions, such as regulations governing the operation of casinos, and its history reflects the state's unique path to statehood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | July 2, 1776 |
| Date of last amendment | December 8, 1988 |
| Number of words | 26,159 |
| Average number of words in American state constitutions | 28,300 |
| Number of constitutions governing the territory now known as New Jersey | 3 |
| Number of British Royal Charters issued for East Jersey, West Jersey, and united New Jersey | 3 |
| Date of the second constitution coming into effect | June 29, 1844 |
| Date of the current document's adoption | 1947 |
| Number of methods for amending the constitution | 1 |
| Percentage of the legislature required to vote in favor in one session for an amendment to appear on a ballot | 60% |
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What You'll Learn
- The New Jersey Constitution has been amended several times, with the current version dating from 1947
- It is the only state with one method for amending the constitution
- The process involves legislative referral under Article IX
- The state constitution reinforces the basic rights found in the US Constitution
- It also contains unique provisions, such as regulations governing casinos
The New Jersey Constitution has been amended several times, with the current version dating from 1947
The New Jersey Constitution has been amended several times, with the current version—the third in the state's history—dating from 1947. The first New Jersey Constitution was adopted on July 2, 1776, shortly before New Jersey ratified the United States Declaration of Independence. Composed in a span of five days and ratified just two days later, the constitution was drafted during a state of emergency caused by the American Revolutionary War. Its primary objective was to provide a basic governmental framework that would preempt New Jersey's fall into anarchy. The constitution served as the charter document for the state's government for the next 68 years.
The second New Jersey Constitution came into effect in 1844. This constitution restricted suffrage to white males and separated the government's powers into judicial, legislative, and executive branches. It also granted the people (as opposed to the legislature) the ability to elect a governor and formally limited state debt. The 1844 constitution was amended in 1875 to conform to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments and to require that the legislature provide for a free public school system.
The current New Jersey Constitution was drafted by a convention of delegates in 1947. It has been amended 59 times, most recently in 2021. The constitution mirrors many of the basic provisions contained in the United States Constitution, including freedom of speech, the right to a speedy and public trial, and religious freedom. However, it also contains additional provisions, such as rules pertaining to the operation of casinos.
The New Jersey Constitution establishes the rights and freedoms inherent to people and the relevant operation of the government. It also details the dates for elections of the governor, the lieutenant governor, and members of the New Jersey Legislature. The constitution's amendment process is outlined in Article IX, which explains that a potential amendment is submitted through the Senate or General Assembly and then voted upon by both houses. If it gathers at least three-fifths of both houses' votes, the amendment can be submitted to the people of New Jersey to vote on. If a majority of voters approve the amendment, it is passed on the thirtieth day after the vote.
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It is the only state with one method for amending the constitution
The current version of the New Jersey Constitution was adopted in 1947 and has been amended several times. It is the only state with one method for amending the constitution, which involves legislative referral under Article IX. This is unique when compared to other states, which often have multiple avenues to alter their foundational documents.
The New Jersey Constitution has a specific process for proposing and ratifying amendments. A potential amendment is first submitted through the Senate or General Assembly. If it receives at least a three-fifths majority in both houses, it proceeds to a public vote. If a simple majority of New Jersey voters approve, the amendment returns to the legislature in the next legislative year for another vote. If it passes with a majority again, it goes back to the voters for final approval. This process ensures that any changes to the constitution are supported by both the legislature and the people of New Jersey.
The constitution has been amended multiple times since its adoption. For example, it was amended in 1875 to conform to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, and to mandate the provision of a free public school system. The current document also includes rules related to casinos, which is another unique feature when compared to other state constitutions.
The New Jersey Constitution, with its single amendment method, reflects the state's history and the desire for a stable and orderly governmental framework. The process ensures that any changes to the constitution are carefully considered and broadly supported, protecting the rights and interests of New Jersey residents.
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The process involves legislative referral under Article IX
The New Jersey Constitution has been amended several times since its adoption in 1947. The process of amending the constitution involves legislative referral under Article IX.
Article IX outlines the process of amending the New Jersey State Constitution. A potential amendment is first submitted through either the Senate or the General Assembly. The amendment is then voted on by both houses. If the amendment receives at least three-fifths of the votes in both the Senate and the General Assembly, it moves forward to the next step.
At this point, the amendment is submitted to be voted on by the people of New Jersey. If a majority of the people vote in favour of the amendment, it returns to the legislature for another vote in the next legislative year. If the amendment passes with a majority vote once again, it goes back to the people of New Jersey for a final vote. All amendments must be voted on separately, as outlined in Article IX.
The New Jersey Constitution is unique in that it contains provisions that are not typically found in other state constitutions, such as regulations governing the operation of casinos. The process of amending the constitution is also more complex and rigorous compared to other states, which may contribute to the perception that it is "weird" or unusual.
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The state constitution reinforces the basic rights found in the US Constitution
The New Jersey Constitution is the basic governing document of the State of New Jersey. The state constitution reinforces the basic rights found in the United States Constitution, such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and the right to keep and bear arms. The Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, for example, states that "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
The New Jersey Constitution also contains several unique provisions, such as regulations governing the operation of casinos. The state constitution has been amended several times since its adoption in 1947. For instance, the constitution was amended in 1875 to conform to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments of the US Constitution, and to require the legislature to provide for a free public school system.
The New Jersey Constitution also establishes a bicameral legislature, composed of a Senate and a General Assembly, and outlines the requirements for office and the roles of each house. The constitution also addresses the separation of powers, creating three branches of government (executive, judicial, and legislative) and defining their respective powers.
The process for amending the New Jersey Constitution is outlined in Article IX. A potential amendment is submitted through the Senate or General Assembly and voted upon by both houses. If it receives at least three-fifths of the vote in both houses, it is then submitted to the people of New Jersey for a vote. If a majority of the people vote for the amendment, it is voted on again in the next legislative year. If it passes with a majority again, it becomes an amendment to the constitution.
The New Jersey Constitution, like many other state constitutions, also begins with an invocation of God. It states, "We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution."
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It also contains unique provisions, such as regulations governing casinos
The New Jersey Constitution is the basic governing document of the State of New Jersey. The state has been governed by three constitutions. The first was adopted on July 2, 1776, shortly before New Jersey ratified the United States Declaration of Independence. The second came into effect in 1844, and the current document was adopted in 1947. The New Jersey Constitution has been amended several times.
The New Jersey Constitution reinforces the basic rights found in the United States Constitution, but also contains several unique provisions, including regulations governing casinos. The constitution also includes provisions for the operation of casinos, with the aim of maintaining public confidence and trust in the regulatory process and casino operations. Licensing and oversight are achieved through a two-agency system, with the Casino Control Commission as the politically independent, quasi-judicial decision-making body. The Act that created this body declared that restricting the issuance of casino licenses to major hotel and convention facilities would preserve the existing nature and tone of the hospitality industry in New Jersey and Atlantic City.
The New Jersey Constitution also contains provisions for the separation of powers. It establishes the rights and freedoms inherent to people and the relevant operation of the government. The rights discussed in this constitution largely mirror the Constitution of the United States, including freedom of speech, a speedy and public trial, and religious freedom.
The New Jersey Constitution also includes provisions for the amendment process. Amendments are submitted through the Senate or General Assembly and are voted on by both houses. If an amendment receives at least three-fifths of the votes in both houses, it is submitted to the people of New Jersey for a vote. If a majority of voters approve the amendment, it is voted on again in the next legislative year. If it passes with a majority vote again, it becomes an official amendment to the constitution.
The New Jersey Constitution also contains provisions for the recall of elected officials. The people of New Jersey reserve the right to recall any elected official in the state or representing the state in the United States Congress after at least one year of service. The Legislature is required to enact laws to provide for such recall elections, which must be triggered by a petition of at least 25% of registered voters in the electoral district of the official sought to be recalled.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of the State of New Jersey is the basic governing document of the State of New Jersey. The state has been governed by three constitutions. The first was adopted on July 2, 1776, the second came into effect in 1844, and the current document was adopted in 1947 and has been amended several times.
Unlike most states, New Jersey provides only one method for amending the Constitution. This involves legislative referral under Article IX. An amendment proposed in the legislature will appear on a ballot if 60% of the legislature votes in its favor in one session, or if a majority votes in its favor in two separate sessions.
The New Jersey Constitution reinforces the basic rights found in the United States Constitution, but also contains several unique provisions, such as regulations governing the operation of casinos.
A potential amendment is submitted through the Senate or General Assembly. The amendment is voted upon by both houses. If it gathers at least three-fifths of both the Senate and the Assembly, the amendment is to be submitted to be voted upon by the people of New Jersey. If a majority votes for the amendment, the amendment is voted on in the next legislative year. If the amendment is passed by a majority yet again, the amendment is submitted to be voted on again by the people of New Jersey.
