The Constitution of the State of Delaware of 1897 is the fourth and current governing document for
Delaware
Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent Del ...
state government and has been in effect since its adoption on June 4 of that year.
Executive
The Governor is the executive officer of the State, and is chosen by the qualified electors of the State, once every four years, at the general election. The term of the
Governor
A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...
is for four years, from the third Tuesday in January following the election. A person may be elected Governor only twice. The Governor must be thirty years old, a citizen and inhabitant of the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
for twelve years before the day of the election, and for the last six years of that time an inhabitant of
Delaware
Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent Del ...
.
The Governor is commander-in-chief of the state armed forces including the militia and, with the consent of the
State Senate
A state legislature in the United States is the legislative body of any of the 50 U.S. states. The formal name varies from state to state. In 27 states, the legislature is simply called the ''Legislature'' or the ''State Legislature'', whil ...
, appoint the
Secretary of State to serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
Legislation approved by the
General Assembly
A general assembly or general meeting is a meeting of all the members of an organization or shareholders of a company.
Specific examples of general assembly include:
Churches
* General Assembly (presbyterian church), the highest court of presby ...
is submitted to the Governor for approval. In the event approval is not given, the legislation is returned to the
General Assembly
A general assembly or general meeting is a meeting of all the members of an organization or shareholders of a company.
Specific examples of general assembly include:
Churches
* General Assembly (presbyterian church), the highest court of presby ...
, reconsidered, and may become law without the Governor's approval only if three-fifths of each House of the General Assembly approve it.
Members of the
Delaware
Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent Del ...
Constitutional Convention of 1897. The Convention convened in December 1896 and adjourned June 4, 1897.
*John Biggs, President, Democrat from New Castle County
*Edward G. Bradford
*Martin B. Burris
*William A. Cannon
*Paris T. Carlisle, Jr.
*Wilson T. Cavender
*David S. Clark
*J. Wilkins Cooch
*Ezekiel W. Cooper
*Robert W. Dasey
*Joshua A. Ellegood
*Charles B. Evans
*James B. Gilchrist
*Robert G. Harman
*Edward D. Hearne
*John W. Hering
*Andrew J. Horsey
*Andrew L. Johnson
*Woodburn Martin
*Elias N. Moore
*George H. Murray
*William P. Orr, Jr.
*Nathan Pratt
*Charles F. Richards
*Lowder L. Sapp
*William Saulsbury
*William T. Smithers
*William C. Spruance, Republican from New Castle County
*Isaac K. Wright
Amendment procedure
The Delaware Constitution is unusual in that the legislature has authority to amend it without a
referendum
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...
. Article XVI, Section 1, of the Delaware Constitution provides that
The people are notified of the proposed amendment through the newspaper publications and may make their views known, and give effect to their desires, by voting for or against those legislators who are seeking to amend the constitution.
See also
*
Delaware Constitution of 1776
The Delaware Constitution of 1776 was the first governing document for Delaware state government and was in effect from its adoption in September 1776 until its replacement by the 1792 constitution.
Background
On June 15, 1776, at the urging of P ...
*
Delaware Constitution of 1792
Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent Del ...
*
Delaware Constitution of 1831 The Delaware Constitution of 1831 was the third governing document for Delaware state government and was in effect from its adoption on December 2, 1831 until replaced on June 4, 1897 by the present state Constitution.
Members of the Delaware Const ...
References
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External links
Text of the Delaware Constitution of 1897
{{DEGeneral
Constitution of 1897
Delaware
Delaware ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Maryland to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and New Jersey and the Atlantic Ocean to its east. The state takes its name from the adjacent Del ...
1897 in Delaware
1897 establishments in Delaware
1897 in American law