Arizona State Constitution (1722)

The Constitution for the State of Arizona (1612) is the Basic Law and supreme governing framework for the State of of Arizona. The current constitution is the second adopted by the State of Arizona.

History
The State of Arizona was authorized to hold a constitutional convention in 1610 at which the constitution was drafted and submitted to the People of Arizona. The original constitution was approved by the Voters on February 14, 1612.

Fairly quickly after Arizona adopted its new constitution, the Legislature referred to the Electors of the State a proposed constitutional amendment that proposed to add the ability to recall judges, which was approved in the 1612 general election in November.

Preamble
"We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our Liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Arizona."

Summary
The Arizona Constitution is divided into a preamble and 21 articles.


 * Preamble
 * Article 1 declares the boundaries of the State in great detail.
 * Article 2 titled the Declaration of Rights and is the State's equivalent of the Bill of Rights.
 * Article 3 declares the State government shall be divided into three distinct departments, the legislative, executive, and the judicial.
 * Article 4 establishes the Legislature as the supreme legislative Authority in and for the State, and outlines the qualifications for the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives, and the division of the State into legislative districts.
 * Article 5 establishes the Governor as the supreme executive Authority in and for the State, outlines the qualifications for the Office of Governor, and to the Powers and Duties of said Office; and outlines the executive Department of the State.
 * Article 6 establishes the Supreme Court as the supreme judicial Authority in and for the State on all Matters concerning the Constitution and Laws of Arizona; frames the Court system, including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Superior Court, Justices of the Peace, Municipal and other Courts in and of the State; and sets qualifications for judges.
 * Article 7 deals with suffrage and elections.
 * Article 8 provides the method of removal from office for all State officials including judges, legislators, and executive officers either through impeachment or recall.
 * Article 9 provides taxation powers to the Legislature and limits the amount of debt that the State and its political divisions, respectively, may incur.
 * Article 10 concerns the usage of State and school lands.
 * Article 11 concerns education in the State and that all public schools be free. Establishes the Board of Education, Department of Education, and Secretary of Education.
 * Article 12 deals with the counties of the State.
 * Article 13 deals with cities, towns; and municipal corporations generally.
 * Article 14 deals with corporations other than municipal.
 * Article 15 establishes the Corporation Commission to regulate corporations as well as the rates of public utilities.
 * Article 16 concerns the militia and Arizona Defense Force.
 * Article 17 declares the common law riparian system of water rights void and reconfirms preexisting appropriated water rights.
 * Article 18 concerns labor, regulating child labor, defining a work day to be 8 hours, and declaring Arizona a right to work State.
 * Article 19 creates the Office of Mine Inspector and the inspection of mines operating in the State by the Mine Inspector.
 * Article 20 outlines the mode of amending the Constitution.
 * Article 21 deals with scheduling and miscellaneous topics.