Constitution of the State of Wyoming
1890
Wyoming's constitution was adopted in 1889 and the state was admitted to the Union on July 10, 1890, making it the 44th state. The constitutional convention at Cheyenne produced a document notable for its explicit recognition of women's equal political rights, building on Wyoming Territory's pioneering grant of women's suffrage in 1869, the first such guarantee in American history. The document also reflected the cattle ranching and mineral extraction economy of the high plains, with provisions addressing water rights and public lands that remain consequential today. Wyoming operates under this original constitution, which has been amended relatively rarely compared to many western states, preserving the character of the late nineteenth-century document.
Preamble
We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political and religious liberties, and desiring to secure them to ourselves and perpetuate them to our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Article 1 — Declaration of Rights
Section 1. Power inherent in the people. All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness; for the advancement of these ends they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish the government in such manner as they may think proper. Section 2. Equality of all. In their inherent right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, all members of the human race are equal. Section 3. Equal political rights. Since equality in the enjoyment of natural and civil rights is only made sure through political equality, the laws of this state affecting the political rights and privileges of its citizens shall be without distinction of race, color, sex, or any circumstance or condition whatsoever other than individual incompetency or unworthiness duly ascertained by a court of competent jurisdiction. Section 4. Security against search and seizure — conditions of warrant. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrant shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by affidavit, particularly describing the place to be searched or the person or thing to be seized.