Louisiana Constitution
Louisiana Constitution and Systems of the State
Ed Calvin
POL/215
February 27, 2013
Dr. D. Bryant III
Louisiana Constitution and Systems of the State The Louisiana Constitution in 1812 used the U.S. Constitution as a guideline to write its contents. After receiving authorization from the U.S. Congress the delegates developed the constitution and on January 22, 1812 the state first constitution was signed. The state's current constitution was adopted by constitutional convention in 1974, ratified by the voters of Louisiana on April 20, 1974 and became effective on January 1, 1975. The major elements of the Louisiana Constitution is design to protect the rights of individuals, control the power of state officials and local government, to help develop the state and city civil service systems, and make amendments to the constitution. Many of the fourteen articles of the Louisiana Constitution can be compared to the Bills of Right, of the United States Constitution, but is written for the state. Article I. Declaration of Rights, which protects individual’s leisure time such as hunting and fishing, to include right to vote. The article also cover laws and regulations on the right to bear arms and provides rules and laws to help individual protect their property. Article II. Distribution of Powers divides power of the state government into the three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, and limits the powers of each branch. Article III. Legislative Branch, organizes the Louisiana Legislature into a bicameral one, consisting of the Louisiana House of Representatives and the Louisiana Senate This article helps sets qualifications for office, term limits, and the procedures for filling vacancies. It also determine when the Legislature should convene Article IV. Executive Branch, Organizes the composition of the executive branch. Except for the offices of the Governor of Louisiana and Lieutenant Governor of
Ed Calvin
POL/215
February 27, 2013
Dr. D. Bryant III
Louisiana Constitution and Systems of the State The Louisiana Constitution in 1812 used the U.S. Constitution as a guideline to write its contents. After receiving authorization from the U.S. Congress the delegates developed the constitution and on January 22, 1812 the state first constitution was signed. The state's current constitution was adopted by constitutional convention in 1974, ratified by the voters of Louisiana on April 20, 1974 and became effective on January 1, 1975. The major elements of the Louisiana Constitution is design to protect the rights of individuals, control the power of state officials and local government, to help develop the state and city civil service systems, and make amendments to the constitution. Many of the fourteen articles of the Louisiana Constitution can be compared to the Bills of Right, of the United States Constitution, but is written for the state. Article I. Declaration of Rights, which protects individual’s leisure time such as hunting and fishing, to include right to vote. The article also cover laws and regulations on the right to bear arms and provides rules and laws to help individual protect their property. Article II. Distribution of Powers divides power of the state government into the three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, and limits the powers of each branch. Article III. Legislative Branch, organizes the Louisiana Legislature into a bicameral one, consisting of the Louisiana House of Representatives and the Louisiana Senate This article helps sets qualifications for office, term limits, and the procedures for filling vacancies. It also determine when the Legislature should convene Article IV. Executive Branch, Organizes the composition of the executive branch. Except for the offices of the Governor of Louisiana and Lieutenant Governor of