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Kentucky Constitution
The Kentucky Constitution is the state constitution of Kentucky.
- The current Kentucky Constitution was adopted in 1891.
- Kentucky has had four state constitutions.
- The current state constitution has a preamble and 20 articles.
- The current Kentucky Constitution has been amended 41 times.[1]
- Voters last approved a new amendment to the Kentucky Constitution on November 5, 2024.
A state constitution is the fundamental document that outlines a state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters.
Features
The Kentucky Constitution is divided into a preamble and 20 articles.[2]
Background
Kentucky became the 15th U.S. state in 1792. The state's first constitution was held from statehood until 1799, which was when the second constitution became effective.[3]
Kentucky held nine total statehood conventions. In the ninth and last statehood convention, a constitutional convention was called to convene in April 1792. The document that came out of that final convention was presented to the United States Congress. It was accepted on June 1, 1792, admitting Kentucky as the 15th state in the Union. That original constitution was revised substantially in subsequent constitutional conventions in August 1799, May 1850 and September 1891.[3]
Preamble
The preamble to the Kentucky Constitution states:
Bill of Rights
- See also: Bill of Rights, Kentucky Constitution
The Bill of Rights consists of sections 1-26 of the Kentucky Constitution.
Click here to read the Bill of Rights of the Kentucky Constitution.
Rights of Victims of Crime
The article entitled "Rights of Victims of Crime" of the Kentucky Constitution is a set of constitutional protections for crime victims.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
Distribution of the Powers of Government
The article entitled "Distribution of the Powers of Government" of the Kentucky Constitution divides the government into three branches.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
The Legislative Department
The article entitled "Legislative Department" of the Kentucky Constitution establishes the legislature as the law-making body of government.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
Counties and County Seats
The article entitled "Counties and County Seats" of the Kentucky Constitution consists of sections 63-65.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
Impeachments
- See also: Impeachments, Kentucky Constitution
The article entitled "Impeachments" of the Kentucky Constitution consists of sections 66-68.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
The Executive Department
The article entitled "Executive Department" of the Kentucky Constitution consists of sections 69-108.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
The Judicial Department
The article entitled "Judicial Department" of the Kentucky Constitution established the court system of the state.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
County Courts
- See here: County Courts, Kentucky Constitution
The article entitled "County Courts" of the Kentucky Constitution consists of sections 140 and 141, one of which, 141, has been repealed.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
Justices of the Peace
The article entitled "Justices of the Peace" of the Kentucky Constitution consists of sections 142 and 143.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
Fiscal Courts
- See also: Fiscal Courts, Kentucky Constitution
The article entitled "Fiscal Courts" of the Kentucky Constitution contains only one section, 144.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
Suffrage and Elections
The article entitled "Suffrage and Elections" of the Kentucky Constitution consists of sections 145-155.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
Municipalities
- See also: Municipalities, Kentucky Constitution
The article entitled "Municipalities" of the Kentucky Constitution consists of sections 156-168.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
Revenue and Taxation
The article entitled "Revenue and Taxation" of the Kentucky Constitution consists of sections 169-182.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
Education
- See also: Education, Kentucky Constitution
The article entitled "Education" of the Kentucky Constitution consists of sections 183-189.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
Corporations
- See also: Corporations, Kentucky Constitution
The article entitled "Corporations" of the Kentucky Constitution consists of sections 190-208.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
Railroads and Commerce
The article entitled "Railroads and Commerce" of the Kentucky Constitution consists of sections 209-218.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
The Militia
- See also: The Militia, Kentucky Constitution
The article entitled "The Militia" of the Kentucky Constitution consists of sections 219-223.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
General Provisions
The article entitled "General Provisions" consists of sections 224-255A.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
Mode of Revision
- See also: Mode of Revision, Kentucky Constitution
The article entitled "Mode of Revision" of the Kentucky Constitution consists of sections 256-263 laying out how the constitution can be changed over time.
Click here to read this article of the Kentucky Constitution.
Schedule and Ordinance
The article entitled "Schedule and Ordinance" of the Kentucky Constitution follows 20 articles, as well as a preamble. This section itself is composed of six sections and an ordinance.
Click here to read the schedule and ordinance of the Kentucky Constitution.
Amending the constitution
- See also: Mode of Revision, Kentucky Constitution
The Kentucky Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state constitution—a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Kentucky does not feature the power of initiative for either initiated constitutional amendments or initiated state statutes.
Legislature
A 60% vote is required during one legislative session for the Kentucky State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 60 votes in the Kentucky House of Representatives and 23 votes in the Kentucky Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. The Legislature cannot add more than four constitutional amendments to one election ballot.
Convention
According to the Kentucky Constitution, the state Legislature can vote to refer a constitutional convention question to voters. A simple majority vote is required during two successive legislative sessions of the Legislature to place a constitutional convention question on the ballot. Turnout for those voting 'yes' at the election must be equal to at least 25% of the qualified electors who voted at the last general election.
See also
- State constitution
- Constitutional article
- Constitutional amendment
- Constitutional revision
- Constitutional convention
- Amendments
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ According to Robert Ireland (2012), the Constitution of 1891 had been amended 38 times through 2011. From 2012 to 2024, voters approved three additional constitutional amendments.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kentucky Legislature, "Kentucky Constitution," accessed March 28, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ireland, R. (2012). The Kentucky State Constitution. New York, NY: Oxford University Press
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