Through its history, Arkansas has been governed by five constitutions. Each of the five constitutions symbolizes a shift in the state’s political status: statehood in 1836, joining the Confederate States of America during the Civil War in 1861, military occupation near the end of the Civil War in 1864, Reconstruction in 1868, and reaction to Reconstruction in 1874. Although several attempts have been made to draft a new constitution, the 1874 document remains the basis for state laws in Arkansas. All five of the original state constitutions are housed at the Arkansas State Archives, and have been digitized and transcribed for your use.
The Arkansas Constitutions finding aid is also available in the finding aids section of this site.
Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.
Arkansas Constitutional Convention The 1836 Arkansas Constitution was the first of Arkansas's constitutions, created during the push for Arkansas's statehood. It is written on four pages, front and back. It outlines the basic laws of state government and defines the rights of Arkansas citizens.
Arkansas Secession Convention The 1861 Arkansas Constitution was the constitution of the Confederate State of Arkansas, created upon Arkansas's secession from the Union at the beginning of the Civil War. It was written by hand on nine pages of vellum.
Arkansas Constitutional Convention The 1864 Constitution reflects few changes from the 1836 document. The new constitution's provisions varied from previous laws by calling for the popular election of the secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, and judges. New regulations abolished slavery, but failed to define the rights of former slaves.
Arkansas Constitutional Convention The Constitution of the State of Arkansas: framed and adopted by the convention which assembled at Little Rock, January 7th, 1868, and ratified by the people of the state, at the election beginning March 13th, 1868.
Arkansas Constitutional Convention The fifth and current Constitution of the State of Arkansas, framed and adopted by the convention which assembled at Little Rock, July 14th, 1874, and ratified by the people of the state, at the election held Oct. 13th, 1874.
