This state was admitted into the union with its first constitution in 1796. The present one was formed in 1835.
Legislature--styled general assembly. Representatives are apportioned among the counties or districts according to the number of qualified voters in each, and are not to exceed seventy-five until the population of the state shall be 1,500,000, and may never exceed ninety-nine. They must be citizens of the state three years, and residents of the county they represent one year. Senators are apportioned as representatives; the number not to exceed one-third of the number of representatives; must be thirty years of age; in other respects qualified as representatives. Both are elected biennially.
Bills passed by both houses are laws without having been presented to the governor. Quorum, two-thirds of each house.
Executive. The governor is elected for two years; and may not hold the office more than six in any term of eight years. He must be thirty years of age, and have been a citizen of the state seven years. No lieutenant-governor.
A secretary of state for four years, and a treasurer for two years, are chosen by joint vote of the general assembly.
Electors. White males having been citizens of the county six months; also male persons of color, twenty-one years of age, who are competent witnesses in a court of justice against a white man.
Judiciary. A supreme court, such inferior courts as the legislature may establish, and justices' courts. The supreme court consists of three judges, one in each of the grand divisions of the state, elected for twelve years. Judges of inferior courts are elected for eight years. For the election of justices of the peace, each county is divided into districts of convenient size, in each of which are elected two justices and one constable. A district containing a county town, may elect three justices and two constables.
Attorneys for the state are elected by joint assembly for six years.
In each county are elected one sheriff, and one trustee for two years; and one register for four years. The justices of the peace of each county elect one coroner and one ranger for two years.
Amendments are proposed by majorities of all the members elected, approved by two-thirds of all the members of the next legislature, and ratified by the people.