Kentucky Constitution
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The Constitution of Kentucky is the document that governs the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States. It was first adopted in 1792 and has since been rewritten three times and amended many more. The latter versions were adopted in 1799, 1850 and 1891.
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[edit] The 1792 Constitution
The first Constitution of Kentucky was adopted when the commonwealth was admitted to the United States. It was largely based on the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1790. It made slavery legal. Voting was restricted to white males over 21, although (unlike some other states) Kentucky did not require property ownership for a person to vote. Process and mandates were in the style "State of Kentucky" and corporations were to be of public benefit or be dissolved.
[edit] The 1891 Constitution
The Constitution adopted in 1891 is the one that currently governs the commonwealth. It is similar to many state constitutions, dividing power between three branches of government (similar to the division of powers in the federal government). Kentucky has a bicameral legislature and an elected judiciary. Process and Mandates are to be styled as "Commonwealth of Kentucky" changed in 1850.
[edit] Organization
The 1891 Constitution is divided as follows:
- Preamble
- Bill of Rights - Sections 1 to 26
- Distribution of the Powers of Government - Sections 27 and 28
- The Legislative Department - Sections 29 to 62
- Counties and County Seats - Sections 63 to 65
- Impeachments - Sections 66 to 68
- The Executive Department - Sections 69 to 108
- Officers for the State at Large - Sections 69 to 96
- Officers for Districts and Counties - Sections 97 to 108
- The Judicial Department - Sections 109 to 139
- The Supreme Court - Section 110
- The Court of Appeals - Section 111
- The Circuit Court - Section 112
- The District Court - Section 113
- Clerks of Courts - Section 114
- Appellate Policy -- Rule-Making Power - Sections 115 and 116
- Offices of Justices and Judges - Sections 117 to 139
- County Courts - Sections 140 and 141
- Justices of the Peace - Sections 142 and 143
- Fiscal Courts - Section 144
- Suffrage and Elections - Sections 145 to 155
- Municipalities - Sections 156 to 168
- Revenue and Taxation - Sections 169 to 182
- Education - Sections 183 to 189
- Corporations - Sections 190 to 208
- Railroads and Commerce - Sections 209 to 218
- The Militia - Sections 219 to 223
- General Provisions - Sections 224 to 255
- Mode of Revision - Sections 256 to 263
- Schedule and Ordinance
[edit] 1992 amendments
The 1992 amendments to Kentucky's Constitution signifigantly changed the office of Lieutenant Governor. Previously, the Lieutenant Governor became acting Governor whenever the Governor was out of state. Since the amendments took effect, the Lieutenant Governor only takes over gubernatorial powers when the Governor is incapacitated.
The amendments also removed the Lieutenant Governor's duties in the Senate - previously, the Lieutenant Governor had cast the tie breaking vote in the Senate.
Finally, the amendments allow candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor to run on a single ticket. Prior to the amendments, the two offices were sometimes inhabitted by members of different parties.
See also Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
[edit] See also
- Kentucky Education Reform Act, an act designed to remedy aspects of Kentucky's educational system that were deemed unconstitutional.
[edit] External links
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