Constitution of the State of Iowa
1857
Iowa's second and current constitution was drafted by a convention that met in Iowa City in 1857 and ratified by voters on August 3 of that year, supplanting the original 1846 constitution under which Iowa had entered the Union. The convention moved the state capital to Des Moines, reorganized the court system, and imposed tighter controls on public debt following the financial difficulties several states had experienced in the 1840s. The document reflects the Free Soil and early Republican sensibilities of Iowa's electorate, including a provision that barred the lending of the state's credit to private corporations. Amended many times since, it remains the operative constitution of the state and is among the shorter state constitutions in the nation.
Preamble
WE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF IOWA, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the State of Iowa, the boundaries whereof shall be as follows:
Article I — Bill of Rights
Section 1. All men and women are, by nature, free and equal, and have certain inalienable rights — among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness. Section 2. All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people, and they have the right, at all times, to alter or reform the same, whenever the public good may require it. Section 3. The General Assembly shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; nor shall any person be compelled to attend any place of worship, pay tithes, taxes, or other rates for building or repairing places of worship, or the maintenance of any minister, or ministry. Section 7. Every person may speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right. No law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech, or of the press.