Historical Note

Virginia's first constitution was adopted in 1776. The constitution was revised in 1830, 1851, 1864, 1870 and 1902. The need for another revision was mandated to conform with new federal laws concerning civil rights and to loosen regulations on state-issued bonds and borrowing. A 1968 joint resolution by the Virginia General Assembly approved a commission to revise the constitution, and Governor Mills E. Godwin Jr. appointed the commission later that year. The commission proceeded to study the constitution for the rest of the year before undertaking the task of revising the constitution in 1969. The articles involved in this process were: Bill of Rights, Franchise, Division of Powers, Legislative, Executive, Judiciary, Local Government, Education, Corporations, Taxation and Finance, Conservation, and Future Changes. The original constitution greatly influenced the current version, and numerous parts remained unaltered in the revision. Approved by referendum, Completed in 1969 at Williamsburg, the revised constitution came into effect on July 1, 1971 and continues to be in use for the commonwealth of Virginia. Undertaking the task of revising a constitution usually occurs no more than once a generation, which made the revision a significant occasion for the commonwealth of Virginia.

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