Pennsylvania Constitution

The current Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, most recently revised in 1968, forms the law for the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Although considered a new document, it is heavily based on the previous Constitution of 1874, and is often considered a revision of the earlier version.

The state constitution may only be amended after a majority vote of two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly

Pennsylvania General Assembly

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...

and an affirmative vote by the electorate. Emergency amendments are permitted by a vote of two-thirds of the General Assembly and an affirmative vote by the electorate within one month.

History

Pennsylvania has had five constitutions since independence: 1776, 1790, 1838, 1874, and 1968. Prior to that, the province of Pennsylvania was governed for a century by a Frame of Government, of which there were four versions: 1682, 1683, 1696, and 1701.

External links

• The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Pennsylvania's Constitutions and the Amendment Process - Where it Began, Where it is Now
• Pennsylvania Constitution Web Page
• Text of 1776 Constitution