Which constitution was the first to be submitted to voters?

Which constitution was the first to be submitted to voters?

• A. 1798
• B. 1861
• C. 1865
• D. 1868

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how a state’s constitution gets approved: was it simply written by a convention or legislature, or was it put to a vote of the people for ratification? Georgia’s 1861 Constitution was the first to be submitted to voters for their approval. It went through a drafting process, but then the proposed framework was put to a popular vote and narrowly or broadly approved by the electorate. That act of direct voter approval marks the first time Georgians were actually asked to ratify a new state constitution. Earlier constitutions were typically enacted by the legislature or by a convention without a formal public referendum, so they don’t meet the criterion of being “submitted to voters.” Subsequent constitutions continued to involve voter ratification, but 1861 holds the distinction of being the first.

The main idea here is how a state’s constitution gets approved: was it simply written by a convention or legislature, or was it put to a vote of the people for ratification? Georgia’s 1861 Constitution was the first to be submitted to voters for their approval. It went through a drafting process, but then the proposed framework was put to a popular vote and narrowly or broadly approved by the electorate. That act of direct voter approval marks the first time Georgians were actually asked to ratify a new state constitution. Earlier constitutions were typically enacted by the legislature or by a convention without a formal public referendum, so they don’t meet the criterion of being “submitted to voters.” Subsequent constitutions continued to involve voter ratification, but 1861 holds the distinction of being the first.