Constitution of Alabama

The Constitution of Alabama is the fundamental law of the state of Alabama. Alabama has had seven constitutions, those of 1819, 1861, 1865, 1868, 1875 and 1901 followed by the current document, adopted on November 28, 2022, which recompiled the 1901 constitution into a reorganized text. At an estimated 369,380 words, it is described as the longest active written constitution in the world.[1]

Earlier constitutions

The 1819 constitution converted Alabama Territory into a state. Later documents were adopted at the time of secession in 1861 and during Reconstruction in 1865 and 1868; the constitution of 1875 ended Reconstruction, and the 1901 document, adopted in the Jim Crow era, remained in effect until 2022.[1] The 1819 constitution created the offices of governor and the Supreme Court.

The 2022 recompilation

The current constitution was adopted on November 28, 2022, as a recompilation of the 1901 document. It had five objectives: arranging the text into articles, parts and sections; removing racist language; deleting duplicative and repealed provisions; consolidating economic development provisions; and arranging local amendments by county. Governor Kay Ivey proclaimed the new constitution in effect on November 28, 2022, shortly after state election results were certified.[1]

Structure of government

Like other state constitutions, it establishes a tripartite government with an executive branch headed by the governor, a bicameral legislature (see the Alabama Legislature) and a judiciary.[1] The very large size of the document stems from the long list of amendments, many of them local in scope, accumulated since 1901. The Wikipedia article does not state how many amendments the 1901 document contained.[1]

Adoption and convention

Voters approved the present constitution on November 11, 1901, by 108,613 votes to 81,734. The convention had 155 delegates, assembled May 21, 1901, elected John B. Knox president and met for 82 days until September 3.[2]

Length and reform

More than 800 amendments have been added since 1901, making it the longest constitution in the world. Article VIII covers suffrage and elections. The convention made amendment easier, and concerns about home rule, public education funding and tax policy have fueled a reform movement in recent decades.[2]

Earlier constitutions

The 1868 Reconstruction constitution expanded voting rights and created the State Board of Education; Democrats overturned it after regaining state control in 1874. The 1875 constitution lowered taxes, reduced spending, barred state and local lending for internal improvements and cut education spending.[2]

FAQs

How many constitutions has Alabama had? Seven, counting the current one.

What changed in 2022? The 1901 constitution was recompiled: reorganized, with racist language removed and repealed provisions deleted.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: Constitution of Alabama
2. Encyclopedia of Alabama: Alabama Constitution of 1901

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 10, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue