CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA

(1901)

Preamble

We, the people of the State of Alabama, in order to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution and form of government for the State of Alabama.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

(1956)

Preamble

WE THE PEOPLE OF ALASKA, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land, in order to secure and transmit to succeeding generations our heritage of political, civil and religious liberty within the Union of States, do ordain and establish this constitution for the State of Alaska.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA

(1911)

Preamble

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

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF 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, for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to our selves and posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

(1879)

Preamble

We, the People of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom: in order to secure its blessing, do establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO

(1876)

Preamble

We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, in order to form a more independent and perfect government, establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessing s of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the “State of Colorado”.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

(1818)

Preamble

We, the people of the State of Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God, in having permitted them to enjoy a free government, do, in order more effectually to define, secure, and perpetuate the liberties, rights and privileges which they have derived from their ancestors; hereby, after a careful consideration and revision, ordain and establish the following constitution and form of civil government.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

(Constitution of 1792)

Preamble

Through divine goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences, of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring and protecting reputation and property, and, in general, of attaining objects suitable to their condition, without injury by one to another, and as these rights are essential to their welfare, for the due exercise thereof, power is inherent in them, and, therefore, all just authority in the institutions of political society is derived from the people, and established with their consent, to advance their happiness, and they may, for this end as circumstances require, from time to time, alter their constitution of government.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA

(As revised in 1968 and amended to 1975)

Preamble

We, the people of the State of Florida, being grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, in order to secure its benefits, perfect our government, insure domestic tranquility, maintain public order, and guarantee equal civil and political rights to all, do ordain and establish this constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA

(As amended through the November 1998 general election)

Preamble

To perpetuate the principles of free government, insure justice to all, preserve peace, promote the interest and happiness of the citizen and of the family, and transmit to posterity the enjoyment of liberty, we the people of Georgia, relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII

(1959)

Preamble

We, the people of Hawaii, grateful for Divine Guidance…establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IDAHO

(1889 as amended to 1975)

Preamble

We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare do establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF 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…do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Illinois.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF INDIANA

(1851)

Preamble

TO THE END, that justice be established, public order maintained, and liberty perpetuated; WE, the people of the State of Indiana, grateful to ALMIGHTY GOD for the free exercise of the right to choose our own form of government, do ordain this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF IOWA

(1857)

WE, THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF IOWA, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuance of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the STATE OF IOWA…

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF KANSAS

(1859)

Preamble

We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges, in order to insure the full enjoyment of our rights as American citizens, do ordain and establish this constitution of the state of Kansas…

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF KENTUCKY

(1891)

Preamble

We, the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy, and invoking the continuance of these blessings, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA

(1921)

Preamble

We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy…do ordain and establish this constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MAINE

(1820)

Preamble

We, the people of Maine…acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording an opportunity…and imploring His aid and direction…

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND

1776

Preamble

We, the People of the State of Maryland, grateful to

Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty, and taking into our serious consideration the best means of establishing a good Constitution in this State for the sure foundation and more permanent security thereof, declare:

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF 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…forming a new Constitution… 

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN

(As amended to 1972)

Preamble

We, the people of the state of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings and freedom, and earnestly desiring to secure these blessings undiminished to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA

(Adopted Oct. 13, 1857, amendments thru1998)

Preamble

We, the people of the state of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

(Adopted Nov. 1, A. D., 1890)

Preamble

We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and involving his blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI

(as revised to 1974)

Preamble

We the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, do establish this Constitution for the better government of the State.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

(as ratified to 1973)

Preamble

We the people of Montana grateful to God for the quiet beauty of our state, the grandeur of our mountains, the vastness of our rolling plains, and desiring to improve the quality of life, equality of opportunity and to secure the blessings of liberty for this and future generations do ordain and establish this constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEBRASKA

Of 1875

Preamble

We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, do ordain and establish the following declaration of rights and frame of government, as the Constitution of the State of Nebraska.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEVADA

(as amended to 1974)

Preamble

We the people of the State of Nevada Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom in order to secure its blessings, insure domestic tranquility, and form a more perfect Government, do establish this CONSTITUTION.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

(1792)

[Part I. Art. I Sec. V.] Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience and reason; and no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession, sentiments, or persuasion; provided he doth not disturb the public peace or disturb others in their religious worship.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

(as amended to Jan. 1, 1975)

Preamble

We, the people of the State of New Jersey, 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 upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO

(as amended through 1974)

Preamble

We, the people of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty, in order to secure the advantages of a state government, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

(as amended and in force Jan. 1, 1985

Preamble

WE, THE PEOPLE of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, DO ESTABLISH THIS CONSTITUTION.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

(1869)

Preamble

We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for the preservation of the American Union and the existence of our civil, political and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of these blessings to us and our posterity, do, for the more certain security thereof and for the better government of the State, ordain and establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA

(as amended to 1973)

Preamble

We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain and establish this constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF OHIO

(as amended to 1974)

Preamble

We, the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to establish its blessings and promote our common welfare, do establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA

(1907)

Preamble

Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to execute and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, to secure just and rightful government, to promote our mutual welfare and happiness, we, the people of the State of Oklahoma, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF 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…

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA

(1776)

Preamble

We the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF 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…

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

(1778)

Preamble

We, the people of the State of South Carolina…grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution…

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA

(as amended to 1975)

Preamble

We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties, in order to form a more perfect and independent government, establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and preserve to ourselves and to our posterity the blessings of liberty, do ordain and establish this constitution for the State of South Dakota.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF 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.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS

(as amended to Aug. 1969)

Preamble

Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas do ordain and establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF UTAH

(as amended to 1973)

Preamble

Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we, the people of Utah, in order to secure and perpetuate the principles of free government, do ordain and establish this CONSTITUTION.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF VERMONT

(1777)

Preamble

Whereas, all government ought to …enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man….

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF 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….

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF 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.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA

(1872)

Preamble

Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia, in and through the provisions of this Constitution, reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God and seek diligently to promote, preserve and perpetuate good government in the state of West Virginia for the common welfare, freedom and security of ourselves and our posterity.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN

(1848)

Preamble

We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare, do establish this Constitution.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WYOMING

(1890)

PREAMBLE

We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political and religious liberties, and desiring to secure them to our selves and perpetuate them to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.