Constitution of Nevada

The convention adjourned on July 28, was approved by public vote on the first Wednesday in September, and became effective on October 31, when on that date President Abraham Lincoln declared Nevada to be a state.

Union sympathizers were so eager to gain statehood for Nevada that they rushed to send the entire state constitution by telegraph to the United States Congress before the presidential election and they did not believe that sending it by train would guarantee that it would arrive on time.

The preamble reads: "We the people of the State of Nevada Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom in order to secure its blessings, insure domestic tranquility, and form a more perfect Government, do establish this Constitution."

Ownership of the public domain by the United States has become controversial in recent years, the Sagebrush Rebellion and the Bundy standoff are examples of certain groups within the State desire to locally manage the public lands within their borders.

Religious organizations and members of the clergy have the right to refuse to solemnize a marriage, and no person has the right to make any claim against a religious organization or member of the clergy for such a refusal.

Sections 2 and 3 of article 19 defines how citizen initiatives for constitutional amendments can be approved.

An equal rights amendment inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression was approved by 58% of Nevada voters in the November 2022 general election, making Nevada the only US state - and one of the few jurisdictions in the world - to include “sexual orientation and gender identity or expression” in its foundational document.