Washington State Constitution
From Ballotpedia
| Washington Constitution |
|---|
|
| Articles |
| I • II • III • IV • V • VI • VII • VIII • IX • X • XI • XII • XIII • XIV • XV • XVI • XVII • XVIII • XIX • XX • XXI • XXII • XXIII • XXIV • XXV • XXVI • XXVII • XXVIII • XXIX • XXX • XXXI • XXXII |
| Amendments |
The Washington State Constitution is the state constitution of the State of Washington. It is the document that describes the fundamental structure and function of the state's government. Washington has had two constitutions: one in 1878 and the current one, which was ratified by the state's voters on October 1, 1889.[1]
Preamble
We, the people of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this constitution.
Article I
Article I is labeled Declaration of Rights.It includes 35 sections and has been amended seven times since the current version of the Washington State Constitution was ratified on October 1, 1889.
Article I lays out a variety of fundamental citizen rights in the state, covering topics such as the rights of petition and assembly, freedom of speech, the rights of the accused and the rights of crime victims, religious freedom, habeas corpus, eminent domain, the right to bear arms, and the right of recall.
Article II
Article II details the workings of the legislative branch of government.
Article III
Article III is labeled The Executive. It has 25 sections which define the duties, rights and perogatives of the office of the Governor of Washington, and other statewide constitutional officers. Article III has been amended three times since the current State of Washington Constitution was adopted in 1889:
- State of Washington Constitutional Amendment 6, Gubernatorial Vacancies (1910)
- State of Washington Constitutional Amendment 31 (1956)
- State of Washington Constitutional Amendment 62, Gubernatorial Vetoes (1974)
Article IV
Article IV describes the powers of the judicial department.
Article V
Article V describes the impeachment process.
Article VI
Article VI is labeled Elections and Elective Rights. It includes sections 1-8 and 1A, for a total of nine sections. Article VI describes voter qualifications, who can be disqualified, residency requirements for voting in particular areas, the "privilege from arrest" enjoying under certain voting circumstances, the legislature's obligation to create a voter registration system, and when elections are to be held.
Article VI has been amended five times, the first time in 1896 and most recently in 1988.
- State of Washington Constitutional Amendment 2 (1896)
- State of Washington Constitutional Amendment 5 (1910)
- State of Washington Constitutional Amendment 46 (1966)
- State of Washington Constitutional Amendment 63 (1974)
- State of Washington Constitutional Amendment 83 (1988)
Article VII
Article VII goes over the process of taxation.
Article VIII
Article VIII details governmental indebtedness.
Article IX
Article IX lays out the education system for the state of Washington.
Article X
Article X concerns the state militia.
Article XI
Article XI describes the organization of the subsections of the state.
Article XII
Article XII describes the powers and limitations of private corporations.
Article XIII
Article XIII deals with state institutions.
Article XIV
Article XIV sets the location of the seat of government.
Article XV
Article XV concerns the harbors and tide waters of the state.
Article XVI
Article XVI summarizes what can be done with school lands and those granted by the state.
Article XVII
Article XVII deals with tide lands.
Article XVIII
Article XVIII establishes and describes the state seal.
Article XIX
Article XIX is is labeled Exemptions
Article XX
Article XX concerns the public health.
Article XXI
Article XXI describes the public use of water.
Article XXII
Article XXII establishes the legislative apportionment of each respective county.
Article XXIII
Article XXIII describes the process for amending the State Constitution.
Article XXIV
Article XXIV establishes the boundaries of the State of Washington.
Article XXV
Article XXV is entitled Jurisdiction
Article XXVI
Article XXVI details the compact with the United States that the State of Washington made.
Article XXVII
Article XXVII assures that no inconveniences shall arise from Washington becoming a state.
Article XXVIII
Article XXVIII concerns the compensation of State Officers.
Article XXIX
Article XXIX details how public pension and retirement funds may be invested.
Article XXX
Article XXX concerns the compensation of Public Officers.
Article XXXI
Article XXXI declares equality between the sexes.
Article XXXII
Article XXXII describes special revenue financing.
Amendments
External links
- 1878 Constitution (From Washington Secretary of State)
- Washington Constitution. Full text of the Washington Constitution provided by the Washington State Legislature
- The Origin of the Constitution of the State of Washington
References
| |||||
 |
Constitutions of the American states |
|---|---|
| State constitutions |
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming |
| Changing constitutions |
Amending state constitutions • Constitutional amendment • Constitutional revision • Constitutional convention • Legislatively-referred constitutional amendment • Initiated constitutional amendment • Preambles to state constitutions |
