The Kansas Constitution was originally known as the Wyandotte Constitution. In 1859, a constitutional convention was held in Wyandotte County and included controversial issues for the time - slavery and voting rights. The approved constitution prohibited slavery, but it did not give women, African Americans or Native Americans the right to vote.
The Legislature adopted the Wyandotte Constitution on July 29, 1859, and it was approved by Kansas voters on October 4, 1859. However, it was not the official constitution of Kansas until it was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and signed by the President. President James Buchanan signed the bill on January 29, 1861, making Kansas the 34th state to enter the Union.
Use the links below to read the sections and articles of the constitution.
