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The Wyoming Constitution

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Contents: 316 provisions
  1. Article 1, Section 1 Power inherent in the people.
  2. Article 1, Section 2 Equality of all.
  3. Article 1, Section 3 Equal political rights.
  4. Article 1, Section 4 Security against search and seizure.
  5. Article 1, Section 5 Imprisonment for debt.
  6. Article 1, Section 6 Due process of law.
  7. Article 1, Section 7 No absolute, arbitrary power.
  8. Article 1, Section 8 Courts open to all; suits against state.
  9. Article 1, Section 9 Trial by jury inviolate.
  10. Article 1, Section 10 Right of accused to defend.
  11. Article 1, Section 11 Self-incrimination; jeopardy.
  12. Article 1, Section 12 Detaining witnesses.
  13. Article 1, Section 13 Indictment.
  14. Article 1, Section 14 Bail; cruel and unusual punishment.
  15. Article 1, Section 15 Penal code to be humane.
  16. Article 1, Section 16 Conduct of jails.
  17. Article 1, Section 17 Habeas corpus.
  18. Article 1, Section 18 Religious liberty.
  19. Article 1, Section 19 Appropriations for sectarian or religious societies or institutions prohibited.
  20. Article 1, Section 20 Freedom of speech and press; libel; truth a defense.
  21. Article 1, Section 21 Right of petition and peaceable assembly.
  22. Article 1, Section 22 Protection of labor.
  23. Article 1, Section 23 Education.
  24. Article 1, Section 24 Right to bear arms.
  25. Article 1, Section 25 Military subordinate to civil power; quartering soldiers.
  26. Article 1, Section 26 Treason.
  27. Article 1, Section 27 Elections free and equal.
  28. Article 1, Section 28 Taxation; consent of people; uniformity and equality.
  29. Article 1, Section 29 Rights of aliens.
  30. Article 1, Section 30 Monopolies and perpetuities prohibited.
  31. Article 1, Section 31 Control of water.
  32. Article 1, Section 32 Eminent domain.
  33. Article 1, Section 33 Compensation for property taken.
  34. Article 1, Section 34 Uniform operation of general law.
  35. Article 1, Section 35 Ex post facto laws; impairing obligation of contracts.
  36. Article 1, Section 36 Rights not enumerated reserved to people.
  37. Article 1, Section 37 Constitution of United States supreme law of land.
  38. Article 1, Section 38 Right of health care access.
  39. Article 1, Section 39 Opportunity to hunt, fish and trap.
  40. Article 2, Section 1 Powers of government divided into three departments.
  41. Article 3, Section 1 Composition and name of legislature.
  42. Article 3, Section 2 Members' terms and qualifications.
  43. Article 3, Section 3 Legislative apportionment.
  44. Article 3, Section 4 Vacancies. [Repealed.]
  45. Article 3, Section 5 When members elected and terms begin.
  46. Article 3, Section 6 Compensation of members; duration of sessions.
  47. Article 3, Section 7 Time and place of sessions.
  48. Article 3, Section 8 Members disqualified for other office.
  49. Article 3, Section 9 Compensation not to be increased during term.
  50. Article 3, Section 10 Presiding officers; other officers;
  51. Article 3, Section 11 Quorum.
  52. Article 3, Section 12 Rules, punishment and protection.
  53. Article 3, Section 13 Journals.
  54. Article 3, Section 14 Sessions to be open.
  55. Article 3, Section 15 Adjournment.
  56. Article 3, Section 16 Privilege of members.
  57. Article 3, Section 17 Power of impeachment; proceedings.
  58. Article 3, Section 18 Who may be impeached.
  59. Article 3, Section 19 Removal of officers not subject to impeachment.
  60. Article 3, Section 20 Laws to be passed by bill; alteration or amendment of bills.
  61. Article 3, Section 21 Enacting clause of law.
  62. Article 3, Section 22 Limitation on time for introducing bill for appropriation.
  63. Article 3, Section 23 Bill must go to committee.
  64. Article 3, Section 24 Bill to contain only one subject, which shall be expressed in title.
  65. Article 3, Section 25 Vote required to pass bill.
  66. Article 3, Section 26 How laws revised, amended or extended.
  67. Article 3, Section 27 Special and local laws prohibited.
  68. Article 3, Section 28 Signing of bills.
  69. Article 3, Section 29 Legislative employees.
  70. Article 3, Section 30 Extra compensation to public officers prohibited.
  71. Article 3, Section 31 Supplies for legislature and departments.
  72. Article 3, Section 32 Changing terms and salaries of public officers.
  73. Article 3, Section 33 Origin of revenue bills.
  74. Article 3, Section 34 General appropriation bills; other appropriations.
  75. Article 3, Section 35 Money expended only on appropriation.
  76. Article 3, Section 36 Prohibited appropriations.
  77. Article 3, Section 37 Delegation of power to perform municipal functions prohibited.
  78. Article 3, Section 38 Investment of trust funds.
  79. Article 3, Section 39 Aid to railroads prohibited.
  80. Article 3, Section 40 Debts to state or municipal
  81. Article 3, Section 41 Resolutions; approval or veto.
  82. Article 3, Section 42 Bribery of legislators and
  83. Article 3, Section 43 Offers to bribe.
  84. Article 3, Section 44 Witnesses in bribery charges.
  85. Article 3, Section 45 Legislature shall define corrupt solicitation.
  86. Article 3, Section 46 Interested member shall not vote.
  87. Article 3, Section 47 Congressional representation.
  88. Article 3, Section 48 State census.
  89. Article 3, Section 49 District representation.
  90. Article 3, Section 50 Apportionment for first legislature.
  91. Article 3, Section 51 Filling of vacancies.
  92. Article 3, Section 52 Initiative and referendum.
  93. Article 3, Section 53 Creation of criminal penalties not subject to governor's power to commute.
  94. Article 4, Section 1 Executive power vested in governor; term of governor.
  95. Article 4, Section 2 Qualifications of governor.
  96. Article 4, Section 3 Election of governor.
  97. Article 4, Section 4 Powers and duties of governor generally.
  98. Article 4, Section 5 Pardoning power of governor.
  99. Article 4, Section 6 Acting governor.
  100. Article 4, Section 7 When governor may fill vacancies in office.
  101. Article 4, Section 8 Approval or veto of legislation by governor; passage over veto.
  102. Article 4, Section 9 Veto of items of appropriations.
  103. Article 4, Section 10 Bribery or coercion of or by governor.
  104. Article 4, Section 11 State officers; election; qualifications; terms.
  105. Article 4, Section 12 State officers; powers and duties.
  106. Article 4, Section 13 Salaries of governor and other elective state officers.
  107. Article 4, Section 14 Examination of accounts.
  108. Article 4, Section 15 Great seal of state.
  109. Article 5, Section 1 How judicial power vested.
  110. Article 5, Section 2 Supreme court generally; appellate jurisdiction.
  111. Article 5, Section 3 Supreme court generally; original jurisdiction.
  112. Article 5, Section 4 Supreme court generally; number;
  113. Article 5, Section 5 Voluntary retirement and compensation of justices and judges.
  114. Article 5, Section 6 Commission on judicial conduct and ethics.
  115. Article 5, Section 7 Supreme court generally; terms of court.
  116. Article 5, Section 8 Supreme court generally; qualifications of justices.
  117. Article 5, Section 9 Supreme court generally; clerk.
  118. Article 5, Section 10 District courts generally; jurisdiction.
  119. Article 5, Section 11 District courts generally; judges to hold court for each other.
  120. Article 5, Section 12 District courts generally; qualifications of judges.
  121. Article 5, Section 13 District courts generally; clerks.
  122. Article 5, Section 14 District courts generally; commissioners.
  123. Article 5, Section 15 Style of process.
  124. Article 5, Section 16 Supreme court judges limited to judicial duties.
  125. Article 5, Section 17 Salaries of judges of supreme and district courts.
  126. Article 5, Section 18 Appeals from district courts to supreme court.
  127. Article 5, Section 19 State divided into districts; election and terms of district judges.
  128. Article 5, Section 20 Districts defined.
  129. Article 5, Section 21 Increase in number of districts and judges.
  130. Article 5, Section 22 Jurisdiction of justices of the peace.
  131. Article 5, Section 23 Appeals from justices' courts.
  132. Article 5, Section 24 Terms of district courts; attaching unorganized territory to organized counties.
  133. Article 5, Section 25 Judges of supreme and district courts shall not practice.
  134. Article 5, Section 26 Power to fix terms of court.
  135. Article 5, Section 27 Judges of supreme and district courts shall not hold other office.
  136. Article 5, Section 28 Appeals from boards of arbitration.
  137. Article 5, Section 29 Juvenile delinquency and domestic relations courts.
  138. Article 6, Section 1 Male and female citizens to enjoy equal rights.
  139. Article 6, Section 2 Qualifications of electors.
  140. Article 6, Section 3 Electors privileged from arrest.
  141. Article 6, Section 4 Exemption of electors from military duty.
  142. Article 6, Section 5 Electors must be citizens of United States.
  143. Article 6, Section 6 What persons excluded from franchise.
  144. Article 6, Section 7 When residence not lost by reason of absence.
  145. Article 6, Section 8 Soldiers stationed in state not considered residents.
  146. Article 6, Section 9 Educational qualifications of electors.
  147. Article 6, Section 10 Alien suffrage.
  148. Article 6, Section 11 Manner of holding elections.
  149. Article 6, Section 12 Registration of voters required.
  150. Article 6, Section 13 Purity of elections to be provided for.
  151. Article 6, Section 14 Election contests.
  152. Article 6, Section 15 Qualifications for office.
  153. Article 6, Section 16 When officers to hold over; suspension of officers.
  154. Article 6, Section 17 Time of holding general and special elections; when elected officers to enter upon duties.
  155. Article 6, Section 18 Method of selecting officers whose election is not provided for.
  156. Article 6, Section 19 Dual office holding.
  157. Article 6, Section 20 Oath of office; form.
  158. Article 6, Section 21 Oath of office; how administered.
  159. Article 6, Section 22 Absent voter ballots, voting and registration.
  160. Article 7, Section 1 Legislature to provide for public schools.
  161. Article 7, Section 2 School revenues.
  162. Article 7, Section 3 Other sources of school revenues.
  163. Article 7, Section 4 Restriction in use of revenues.
  164. Article 7, Section 5 Fines and penalties to belong to public school fund.
  165. Article 7, Section 6 State to keep school funds; investment.
  166. Article 7, Section 7 Application of school funds.
  167. Article 7, Section 8 Distribution of school funds.
  168. Article 7, Section 9 Taxation for schools.
  169. Article 7, Section 10 No discrimination between pupils.
  170. Article 7, Section 11 Textbooks.
  171. Article 7, Section 12 Sectarianism prohibited.
  172. Article 7, Section 13 Land commissioners.
  173. Article 7, Section 14 Supervision of schools entrusted to state superintendent of public instruction.
  174. Article 7, Section 15 Establishment of university confirmed.
  175. Article 7, Section 16 Tuition free.
  176. Article 7, Section 17 Government of university.
  177. Article 7, Section 18 Establishment of institutions.
  178. Article 7, Section 19 Territorial institutions pass to state.
  179. Article 7, Section 20 Duty of legislature to protect and promote health and morality of people.
  180. Article 7, Section 21 Buildings and property of territory pass to state.
  181. Article 7, Section 22 Construction and supervision.
  182. Article 7, Section 23 Permanent location.
  183. Article 8, Section 1 Water is state property.
  184. Article 8, Section 2 Board of control.
  185. Article 8, Section 3 Priority of appropriation.
  186. Article 8, Section 4 Water divisions.
  187. Article 8, Section 5 State engineer.
  188. Article 9, Section 1 Inspector of mines.
  189. Article 9, Section 2 Legislature to enact regulatory laws.
  190. Article 9, Section 3 Restrictions on employment in mines.
  191. Article 9, Section 4 Right of action for injuries.
  192. Article 9, Section 5 School of mines.
  193. Article 9, Section 6 State geologist.
  194. Article 10, Section 1 Creation.
  195. Article 10, Section 2 Control by state.
  196. Article 10, Section 3 Forfeited charters.
  197. Article 10, Section 4 Damages for personal injuries or death; worker's compensation.
  198. Article 10, Section 5 Acceptance of constitution.
  199. Article 10, Section 6 Engaging in more than one line of business.
  200. Article 10, Section 7 What corporations are common carriers.
  201. Article 10, Section 8 Trusts prohibited.
  202. Article 10, Section 9 Eminent domain.
  203. Article 10, Section 10 Mutual and co-operative associations.
  204. Article 10, Section 11 Powers and rights of railroads.
  205. Article 10, Section 12 Discrimination by railroads and telegraph lines forbidden.
  206. Article 10, Section 13 Railroads to make annual reports to state auditor.
  207. Article 10, Section 14 Eminent domain.
  208. Article 10, Section 15 Aid to railroads and telegraph lines prohibited.
  209. Article 10, Section 16 Acceptance of constitution by existing railroad, transportation and telegraph companies.
  210. Article 10, Section 17 Rights of telegraph companies.
  211. Article 10, Section 18 Foreign railroad or telegraph company must have agent for service of process.
  212. Article 10, Section 19 Location of depots.
  213. Article 11, Section 1 State boundaries.
  214. Article 12, Section 1 Existing counties remain such.
  215. Article 12, Section 2 Organization of new counties.
  216. Article 12, Section 3 Changing county seats.
  217. Article 12, Section 4 Township organization.
  218. Article 12, Section 5 County officers.
  219. Article 13, Section 1 Incorporation; alteration of
  220. Article 13, Section 2 Consent of electors necessary.
  221. Article 13, Section 3 Restriction on powers to levy taxes and contract debts.
  222. Article 13, Section 4 Franchises.
  223. Article 13, Section 5 Acquisition of water rights.
  224. Article 14, Section 1 Stated salaries to be paid.
  225. Article 14, Section 2 Fees.
  226. Article 14, Section 3 Legislature to designate county offices and fix salaries of county officers.
  227. Article 14, Section 4 Deputies.
  228. Article 14, Section 5 Who are county officers referred to by section 3.
  229. Article 14, Section 6 Consolidation of offices.
  230. Article 15, Section 1 Assessment of lands and improvements thereon.
  231. Article 15, Section 2 Assessment of coal lands.
  232. Article 15, Section 3 Taxation of mines and mining claims.
  233. Article 15, Section 4 State levy limited.
  234. Article 15, Section 5 County levies limited.
  235. Article 15, Section 6 City levies limited.
  236. Article 15, Section 7 Depositories for public moneys.
  237. Article 15, Section 8 Profit making from public funds prohibited.
  238. Article 15, Section 9 Legislature to provide for state board of equalization.
  239. Article 15, Section 10 Duties of state board of equalization.
  240. Article 15, Section 11 Uniformity of assessment required.
  241. Article 15, Section 12 Exemptions from taxation.
  242. Article 15, Section 13 Tax must be authorized by law; law to state object.
  243. Article 15, Section 14 Surrender of taxing power prohibited.
  244. Article 15, Section 15 State tax for support of public schools.
  245. Article 15, Section 16 Disposition of fees, excises and license taxes on vehicles and gasoline.
  246. Article 15, Section 17 County levy for support and maintenance of public schools.
  247. Article 15, Section 18 Full tax credit allowed against any liability arising from a tax on income.
  248. Article 15, Section 19 Mineral excise tax; distribution.
  249. Article 15, Section 20 Higher education trust funds; investments; earnings.
  250. Article 16, Section 1 Limitation on state debt.
  251. Article 16, Section 2 Creation of state debt in excess of taxes for current year.
  252. Article 16, Section 3 Limitation on county debt.
  253. Article 16, Section 4 Creation of county or municipal debt in excess of taxes for current year.
  254. Article 16, Section 5 Limitation on municipal, county or school district debt.
  255. Article 16, Section 6 Loan of credit; donations
  256. Article 16, Section 7 Payments of public money.
  257. Article 16, Section 8 Endorsements required on bonds and other evidences of indebtedness.
  258. Article 16, Section 9 Construction and improvement of public roads and highways.
  259. Article 16, Section 10 Construction and improvement of works for conservation and utilization of water.
  260. Article 16, Section 11 Construction, maintenance and
  261. Article 16, Section 12 Economic development loan fund.
  262. Article 16, Section 13 Industrial and economic development; powers of counties and municipalities.
  263. Article 17, Section 1 Of whom militia constituted.
  264. Article 17, Section 2 Legislature to provide for enrollment, equipment and discipline.
  265. Article 17, Section 3 How officers commissioned.
  266. Article 17, Section 4 Flags.
  267. Article 17, Section 5 Governor to be commander-in-chief; powers.
  268. Article 18, Section 1 Acceptance of lands from United States; sale of such lands.
  269. Article 18, Section 2 Application of proceeds of sale or rental.
  270. Article 18, Section 3 Board of land commissioners.
  271. Article 18, Section 4 Legislature to provide for disposition of lands.
  272. Article 18, Section 5 Special privileges prohibited.
  273. Article 18, Section 6 Disposition of unexpended income of perpetual school fund.
  274. Article 19, Section 1 Legislature to provide for protection of livestock and stock owners.
  275. Article 19, Section 2 Day's work.
  276. Article 19, Section 3 Who shall not be employed on public works.
  277. Article 19, Section 4 Legislature to provide for enforcement of section 3.
  278. Article 19, Section 5 Legislature to establish courts of arbitration; duties.
  279. Article 19, Section 6 Importing armed bodies to suppress violence prohibited; exception.
  280. Article 19, Section 7 Contract exempting employer from liability for personal injuries prohibited.
  281. Article 19, Section 8 Legislature to provide for voluntary submission of differences to arbitrators.
  282. Article 19, Section 9 Exemption of homestead.
  283. Article 19, Section 10 Intoxicating liquors.
  284. Article 19, Section 11 Use of monies in public employee retirement funds restricted.
  285. Article 20, Section 1 How amendments proposed by legislature and submitted to people.
  286. Article 20, Section 2 How two or more amendments voted on.
  287. Article 20, Section 3 Constitutional convention.
  288. Article 20, Section 4 Constitution adopted by convention to be submitted to people.
  289. Article 21, Section 1 Acquired rights continue.
  290. Article 21, Section 2 Territorial property vested in state.
  291. Article 21, Section 3 Territorial laws become state laws.
  292. Article 21, Section 4 Accrued fines go to state.
  293. Article 21, Section 5 State to sue on bonds and prosecute crimes.
  294. Article 21, Section 6 Territorial officers to hold over.
  295. Article 21, Section 7 Submission of constitution.
  296. Article 21, Section 8 When constitution takes effect.
  297. Article 21, Section 9 First state election; time of holding; proclamation.
  298. Article 21, Section 10 First state election; duty of county commissioners; who may vote; conduct of election.
  299. Article 21, Section 11 First state election; board of canvassers.
  300. Article 21, Section 12 When officers shall qualify; oaths; bonds.
  301. Article 21, Section 13 First state legislature.
  302. Article 21, Section 14 Laws to be passed.
  303. Article 21, Section 15 Transfer of pending causes, records and seal of courts.
  304. Article 21, Section 16 Court seals.
  305. Article 21, Section 17 Transfer of causes and records from probate courts to district courts.
  306. Article 21, Section 18 How legislature chosen.
  307. Article 21, Section 19 Duration of terms of territorial county and precinct officers.
  308. Article 21, Section 20 Terms of state officers first elected.
  309. Article 21, Section 21 Regular session of legislature following first session.
  310. Article 21, Section 22 Regular election following first session of legislature to be omitted.
  311. Article 21, Section 23 Why constitution framed.
  312. Article 21, Section 24 State part of United States.
  313. Article 21, Section 25 Religious liberty.
  314. Article 21, Section 26 Ownership of certain lands disclaimed; restriction on taxation of nonresidents.
  315. Article 21, Section 27 Territorial liabilities assumed.
  316. Article 21, Section 28 Legislature to provide for public schools.

Proposed changes to this act

No one has proposed a change to this act yet.

316 provisions

Article 19, Section 8 Legislature to provide for voluntary submission of differences to arbitrators.

The legislature may provide by law for the voluntary submission of differences to arbitrators for determination and said arbitrators shall have such powers and duties as may be prescribed by law; but they shall have no power to render judgment to be obligatory on parties; unless they voluntarily submit their matters of difference and agree to abide the judgment of such arbitrators.

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Article 19, Section 9 Exemption of homestead.

A homestead as provided by law shall be exempt from forced sale under any process of law, and shall not be alienated without the joint consent of husband and wife, when that relation exists; but no property shall be exempt from sale for taxes, or for the payment of obligations contracted for the purchase of said premises, or for the erection of improvements thereon.

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Article 19, Section 10 Intoxicating liquors.

On and after the first day of March, 1935, the manufacture, sale and keeping for sale of malt, vinous or spirituous liquors, wine, ale, porter, beer or any intoxicating drink, mixture or preparation of like nature may be permitted in the State of Wyoming under such regulation as the legislature may prescribe.

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Article 19, Section 11 Use of monies in public employee retirement funds restricted.

All monies from any source paid into any public employee retirement system created by the laws of this state shall be used only for the benefit of the members, retirees and beneficiaries of that system, including the payment of system administrative costs.

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Article 20, Section 1 How amendments proposed by legislature and submitted to people.

Any amendment or amendments to this constitution may be proposed in either branch of the legislature, and, if the same shall be agreed to by two-thirds of all the members of each of the two houses, voting separately, such proposed amendment or amendments shall, with the yeas and nays thereon, be entered on their journals, and it shall be the duty of the legislature to submit such amendment or amendments to the electors of the state at the next general election, and cause the same to be published without delay for at least twelve (12) consecutive weeks, prior to said election, in at least one newspaper of general circulation, published in each county, and if a majority of the electors shall ratify the same, such amendment or amendments shall become a part of this constitution.

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Article 20, Section 2 How two or more amendments voted on.

If two or more amendments are proposed, they shall be submitted in such manner that the electors shall vote for or against each of them separately.

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Article 20, Section 3 Constitutional convention.

Whenever two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the legislature shall deem it necessary to call a convention to revise or amend this constitution, they shall recommend to the electors to vote at the next general election for or against a convention, and if a majority of all the electors voting at such election shall have voted for a convention, the legislature shall at the next session provide by law for calling the same; and such convention shall consist of a number of members, not less than double that of the most numerous branch of the legislature.

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Article 20, Section 4 Constitution adopted by convention to be submitted to people.

Any constitution adopted by such convention shall have no validity until it has been submitted to and adopted by the people.

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Article 21, Section 1 Acquired rights continue.

That no inconvenience may arise from a change of the territorial government to a permanent state government, it is declared that all writs, actions, prosecutions, claims, liabilities and obligations against the Territory of Wyoming, of whatever nature, and rights of individuals, and of bodies corporate, shall continue as if no change had taken place in this government, and all process which may, before the organization of the judicial department under this constitution, be issued under the authority of the Territory of Wyoming, shall be as valid as if issued in the name of the state.

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Article 21, Section 2 Territorial property vested in state.

All property, real and personal, and all moneys, credits, claims and choses in action, belonging to the Territory of Wyoming, at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall be vested in and become the property of the State of Wyoming.

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Article 21, Section 3 Territorial laws become state laws.

All laws now in force in the Territory of Wyoming, which are not repugnant to this constitution, shall remain in force until they expire by their own limitation, or be altered or repealed by the legislature.

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Article 21, Section 4 Accrued fines go to state.

All fines, penalties, forfeitures and escheats, accruing to the Territory of Wyoming, shall accrue to the use of the state.

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Article 21, Section 5 State to sue on bonds and prosecute crimes.

All recognizances, bonds, obligations or other undertakings heretofore taken, or which may be taken before the organization of the judicial department under this constitution shall remain valid, and shall pass over to and may be prosecuted in the name of the state, and all bonds, obligations or other undertakings executed to this territory, or to any officer in his official capacity, shall pass over to the proper state authority and to their successors in office, for the uses therein respectively expressed, and may be sued for and recovered accordingly. All criminal prosecutions and penal actions which have arisen or which may arise before the organization of the judicial department under this constitution, and which shall then be pending, may be prosecuted to judgment and execution in the name of the state.

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Article 21, Section 6 Territorial officers to hold over.

All officers, civil and military, holding their offices and appointments in this territory, under the authority of the United States or under the authority of this territory, shall continue to hold and exercise their respective offices and appointments until suspended under this constitution.

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Article 21, Section 7 Submission of constitution.

This constitution shall be submitted for adoption or rejection to a vote of the qualified electors of this territory, at an election to be held on the first Tuesday in November, A. D. 1889. Said election, as nearly as may be, shall be conducted in all respects in the same manner as provided by the laws of the territory for general elections, and the returns thereof shall be made to the secretary of said territory, who with the governor and chief justice thereof, or any two of them, shall canvass the same, and if a majority of the legal votes cast shall be for the constitution the governor shall certify the result to the president of the United States, together with a statement of the votes cast thereon and a copy of said constitution, articles, propositions and ordinances. At the said election the ballots shall be in the following form: "For the constitution--Yes. No." And as a heading to each of said ballots, shall be printed on each ballot the following instructions to voters: "All persons who desire to vote for the constitution may erase the word 'No.' All persons who desire to vote against the constitution may erase the word 'Yes.'" Any person may have printed or written on his ballot only the words: "For the Constitution," or "Against the Constitution," and such ballots shall be counted for or against the constitution accordingly.

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Article 21, Section 8 When constitution takes effect.

This constitution shall take effect and be in full force immediately upon the admission of the territory as a state.

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Article 21, Section 9 First state election; time of holding; proclamation.

Immediately upon the admission of the territory as a state, the governor of the territory, or in case of his absence or failure to act, the secretary of the territory, or in case of his absence or failure to act, the president of this convention, shall issue a proclamation, which shall be published and a copy thereof mailed to the chairman of the board of county commissioners of each county, calling an election by the people for all state, district and other officers, created and made elective by this constitution, and fixing a day for such election, which shall not be less than forty days after the date of such proclamation nor more than ninety days after the admission of the territory as a state.

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Article 21, Section 10 First state election; duty of county commissioners; who may vote; conduct of election.

The board of commissioners of the several counties shall thereupon order such election for said day, and shall cause notice thereof to be given, in the manner and for the length of time provided by the laws of the territory in cases of general elections for delegate to congress, and county and other officers. Every qualified elector of the territory at the date of said election shall be entitled to vote thereat. Said election shall be conducted in all respects in the same manner as provided by the laws of the territory for general elections, and the returns thereof shall be made to the canvassing board hereinafter provided for.

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Article 21, Section 11 First state election; board of canvassers.

The governor, secretary of the territory and president of this convention, or a majority of them, shall constitute a board of canvassers to canvass the vote of such election for member of congress, all state and district officers and members of the legislature. The said board shall assemble at the seat of government of the territory on the thirtieth day after the day of such election (or on the following day if such day fall on Sunday) and proceed to canvass the votes for all state and district officers and members of the legislature, in the manner provided by the laws of the territory for canvassing the vote for delegate to congress, and they shall issue certificates of election to the persons found to be elected to said offices, severally, and shall make and file with the secretary of the territory an abstract certified by them of the number of votes cast for each person, for each of said offices, and of the total number of votes cast in each county.

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Article 21, Section 12 When officers shall qualify; oaths; bonds.

All officers elected at such election, except members of the legislature, shall, within thirty days after they have been declared elected, take the oath required by this constitution, and give the same bond required by law of the territory to be given in case of like officers of the territory or district, and shall thereupon enter upon the duties of their respective offices; but the legislature may require by law all such officers to give other or further bonds as a condition of their continuance in office.

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Article 21, Section 13 First state legislature.

The governor elect of the state, immediately upon his qualifying and entering upon the duties of his office, shall issue his proclamation convening the legislature of the state at the seat of government, on a day to be named in said proclamation, and which shall not be less than thirty nor more than sixty days after the date of such proclamation. Within ten days after the organization of the legislature, both houses of the legislature, in joint session, shall then there proceed to elect, as provided by law, two senators of the United States for the State of Wyoming. At said election the two persons who shall receive the majority of all the votes cast by said senators and representatives shall be elected as such United States senators, and shall be so declared by the presiding officers of said joint session. The presiding officers of the senate and house shall issue a certificate to each of said senators, certifying his election, which certificates shall also be signed by the governor and attested by the secretary of state.

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Article 21, Section 14 Laws to be passed.

The legislature shall pass all necessary laws to carry into effect the provisions of this constitution.

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Article 21, Section 15 Transfer of pending causes, records and seal of courts.

Whenever any two of the judges of the supreme court of the state, elected under the provisions of this constitution, shall have qualified in their offices, the causes then pending in the supreme court of the territory, and the papers, records and proceedings of said court, and the seal and other property pertaining thereto, shall pass into the jurisdiction and possession of the supreme court of the state; and until so superseded the supreme court of the territory and the judges thereof shall continue with like powers and jurisdiction, as if this constitution had not been adopted. Whenever the judge of the district court of any district, elected under the provisions of this constitution, shall have qualified in office, the several causes then pending in the district court of the territory, within any county in such district, and the records, papers and proceedings of said district court and the seal and other property pertaining thereto, shall pass into the jurisdiction and possession of the district court of the state for such county; and until the district courts of this territory shall be superseded in the manner aforesaid, the said district courts and the judges thereof shall continue with the same jurisdiction and power to be exercised in the same judicial districts respectively as heretofore constituted under the laws of the territory.

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Article 21, Section 16 Court seals.

Until otherwise provided by law the seals now in use in the supreme and district courts of this territory are hereby declared to be the seals of the supreme and district courts, respectively, of the state.

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Article 21, Section 17 Transfer of causes and records from probate courts to district courts.

Whenever this constitution shall go into effect, records and papers and proceedings of the probate court in each county, and all causes and matters of administration and other matters pending therein, shall pass into the jurisdiction and possession of the district court of the same county, and the said district court shall proceed to final decree or judgment order or other determination in the said several matters and causes, as the said probate court might have done if this constitution had not been adopted.

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Article 21, Section 18 How legislature chosen.

Senators and members of the house of representatives shall be chosen by the qualified electors of the several senatorial and representative districts as established in this constitution, until such districts shall be changed by law, and thereafter by the qualified electors of the several districts as the same shall be established by law.

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Article 21, Section 19 Duration of terms of territorial county and precinct officers.

All county and precinct officers who may be in office at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall hold their respective offices for the full time for which they may have been elected, and until such time as their successors may be elected and qualified, as may be provided by law, and the official bonds of all such officers shall continue in full force and effect as though this constitution had not been adopted.

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Article 21, Section 20 Terms of state officers first elected.

Members of the legislature and all state officers, district and supreme judges elected at the first election held under this constitution shall hold their respective offices for the full term next ensuing such election, in addition to the period intervening between the date of their qualification and the commencement of such full term.

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Article 21, Section 21 Regular session of legislature following first session.

If the first session of the legislature under this constitution shall be concluded within twelve months of the time designated for a regular session thereof, then the next regular session following said special session shall be omitted.

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Article 21, Section 22 Regular election following first session of legislature to be omitted.

The first regular election that would otherwise occur following the first session of the legislature, shall be omitted, and all county and precinct officers elected at the first election held under this constitution shall hold their office for the full term thereof, commencing at the expiration of the term of the county and precinct officers then in office, or the date of their qualification.

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Article 21, Section 23 Why constitution framed.

This convention does hereby declare on behalf of the people of the Territory of Wyoming, that this constitution has been prepared and submitted to the people of the Territory of Wyoming for their adoption or rejection, with no purpose of setting up or organizing a state government until such time as the congress of the United States shall enact a law for the admission of the Territory of Wyoming as a state under its provisions.

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Article 21, Section 24 State part of United States.

The State of Wyoming is an inseparable part of the federal union and the constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land.

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Article 21, Section 25 Religious liberty.

Perfect toleration of religious sentiment shall be secured, and no inhabitant of this state shall ever be molested in person or property on account of his or her mode of religious worship.

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Article 21, Section 26 Ownership of certain lands disclaimed; restriction on taxation of nonresidents.

The people inhabiting this state do agree and declare that they forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated public lands lying within the boundaries thereof, and to all lands lying within said limits owned or held by any Indian or Indian tribes, and that until the title thereto shall have been extinguished by the United States, the same shall be and remain subject to the disposition of the United States and that said Indian lands shall remain under the absolute jurisdiction and control of the congress of the United States; that the lands belonging to the citizens of the United States residing without this state shall never be taxed at a higher rate than the lands belonging to residents of this state; that no taxes shall be imposed by this state on lands or property therein, belonging to, or which may hereafter be purchased by the United States, or reserved for its use. But nothing in this article shall preclude this state from taxing as other lands are taxed, any lands owned or held by any Indian who has severed his tribal relations, and has obtained from the United States or from any person, a title thereto, by patent or other grant, save and except such lands as have been or may be granted to any Indian or Indians under any acts of congress containing a provision exempting the lands thus granted from taxation, which last mentioned lands shall be exempt from taxation so long, and to such an extent, as is, or may be provided in the act of congress granting the same.

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Article 21, Section 27 Territorial liabilities assumed.

All debts and liabilities of the Territory of Wyoming shall be assumed and paid by this state.

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Article 21, Section 28 Legislature to provide for public schools.

The legislature shall make laws for the establishment and maintenance of systems of public schools which shall be open to all the children of the state and free from sectarian control. Done in open convention, at the City of Cheyenne, in the Territory of Wyoming, this 30th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine. Attested: Melville C. Brown, John K. Jeffrey, President. Secretary. Geo. W. Baxter, A. C. Campbell, J. A. Casebeer, C. D. Clark, Henry A. Coffeen, Asbury B. Conaway, Henry S. Elliott, Mortimer N. Grant, Henry G. Hay, Frederick H. Harvey, Mark Hopkins, John W. Hoyt, Wm. C. Irvine, James A. Johnston, Jesse Knight, Elliott N. Morgan, Edward J. Morris, John M. McCandlish, Herman F. Menough, Caleb P. Organ, Louis J. Palmer, C. W. Holden, H. G. Nickerson, A. L. Sutherland, W. E. Chaplin, Jonathan Jones, John L. Russell, Geo. W. Fox, Frank M. Foote, Chas. H. Burritt, Chas. N. Potter, D. A. Preston, John A. Riner, Geo. C. Smith, H. E. Teschemacher, C. L. Vagner, Thos. R. Reid, Robt. C. Butler, C. W. Burdick, De Forest Richards, Meyer Frank, M. C. Barrow, Richard H. Scott.

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