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Preambles to the State Constitutions:

Alabama 1901, Preamble
We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the
following Constitution..

Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this
great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble; We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...

Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form
of government...

> California 1879,20Preamble We, the People of the State of
> California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom...
> Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado, with
> profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...
> Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut,
> acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in
> permitting them to enjoy.
> Delaware 1897, Preamble Through Divine Goodness all men
> have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their
> Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
> Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of
> Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional
> liberty, establish this Constitution...
> Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia, relying
> upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and
> establish this Constitution...
> Hawaii 1959, Preamble We , the people of Hawaii, Grateful
> for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution.
> Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho,
> grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its
> blessings.
> Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of
> Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political
> and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to
> enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
> Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of
> Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of
> the right to choose our form of government.
> Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the St ate of Iowa,
> grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto
> enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a
> continuation of these blessings, establish this
> Constitution.
> Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas, grateful to
> Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges
> establish this Constitution.
> Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth
> are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and
> religious liberties..
> Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of
> Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political
> and religious liberties we enjoy.
> Maine 1820, Preamble We the People of Maine acknowledging
> with grateful hearts the20goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of
> the Universe in affording us an opportunity .. And imploring
> His aid and direction.
> Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of
> Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and
> religious liberty...
> Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We...the people of
> Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the
> goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the
> course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly
> imploring His direction
> Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of
> Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of
> freedom, establish this Constitution.
> Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of
> Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious
> liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
> Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in
> convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking
> His blessing on our work.
> Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri, with
> profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe,
> and grateful for His goodness . Establish this
> Constitution...
> Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful
> to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this
> Constitution ..
> Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to
> Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.
> Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada,
> grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this
> Constitution...
> New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual
> has a natural and unalienable right to worship Godaccording
> to the dictates of his own conscience.
> New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of
> New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil a nd
> religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to
> enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
> New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico,
> grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty..
> New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New
> York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to
> secure its blessings.
> North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State
> of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign
> Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious
> liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the
> continuance of those...
> North Dakota 1889, Preamble We , the people of North
> Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil
> and religious liberty, do ordain...
> Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio,
> grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its
> blessings and to promote our common.
> Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty
> God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of
> liberty, establish this
> Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men
> shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty
> God according to the dictates of their consciences
> Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania,
> grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and
> religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance....
> Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of
> Rhode Island 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...
> South Carolina, 1778 , Preamble We, the people of he State
> of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do
> ordain and establish this Constitution.
> South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota,
> grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious
> liberties .
> Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural
> and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to
> the dictates of their conscience...
> Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of
> Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and
> beneficence of God.
> Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and
> liberty, we establish this Constitution.
> Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to
> enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natura
> l rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence
> has bestowed on man
> Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty
> which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and
> that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian
> Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
> Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of
> Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe
> for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
> West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine
> Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and
> religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm
> our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
> Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin,
> grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic
> tranquility...
> Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of
> Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and
> religious liberties, establish this Constitution...

THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION
AMENDMENTS

The following are the Amendments to the Constitution. The first ten Amendments collectively are commonly known as the Bill of Rights. History

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment 2 - Right to Bear Arms. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment 3 - Quartering of Soldiers. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment 4 - Search and Seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment 5 - Trial and Punishment, Compensation for Takings. Ratified 12/15/1791.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment 6 - Right to Speedy Trial, Confrontation of Witnesses. Ratified 12/15/1791.

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment 7 - Trial by Jury in Civil Cases. Ratified 12/15/1791.

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment 8 - Cruel and Unusual Punishment. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment 9 - Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791.

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

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.

Amendment 11 - Judicial Limits. Ratified 2/7/1795. Note History

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

Amendment 12 - Choosing the President, Vice-President. Ratified 6/15/1804. Note History The Electoral College

The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;

The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;

The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.

The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.

Amendment 13 - Slavery Abolished. Ratified 12/6/1865. History

1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 14 - Citizenship Rights. Ratified 7/9/1868. Note History

1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.

3. No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

Amendment 15 - Race No Bar to Vote. Ratified 2/3/1870. History

1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 16 - Status of Income Tax Clarified. Ratified 2/3/1913. Note History

The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

Amendment 17 - Senators Elected by Popular Vote. Ratified 4/8/1913. History

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

Amendment 18 - Liquor Abolished. Ratified 1/16/1919. Repealed by Amendment 21, 12/5/1933. History

1. After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

2. The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

Amendment 19 - Women's Suffrage. Ratified 8/18/1920. History

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 20 - Presidential, Congressional Terms. Ratified 1/23/1933. History

1. The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.

4. The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.

5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article.

6. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.

Amendment 21 - Amendment 18 Repealed. Ratified 12/5/1933. History

1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

3. The article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

Amendment 22 - Presidential Term Limits. Ratified 2/27/1951. History

1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President, when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.

2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.

Amendment 23 - Presidential Vote for District of Columbia. Ratified 3/29/1961. History

1. The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 24 - Poll Tax Barred. Ratified 1/23/1964. History

1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 25 - Presidential Disability and Succession. Ratified 2/10/1967. Note History

1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

3. Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.

4. Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

Amendment 26 - Voting Age Set to 18 Years. Ratified 7/1/1971. History

1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.

2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Amendment 27 - Limiting Congressional Pay Increases. Ratified 5/7/1992. History

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

Constitution of the United States

Constitution of the State of Utah