The first was adopted on July 2, 1776, shortly before New Jersey ratified the United States Declaration of Independence and the second came into effect in 1844.

The first was the Concession and Agreement, which was written in 1665 by the colony's proprietors Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, and included a provision granting religious freedom.

The American Revolutionary War was underway and George Washington had recently been defeated in New York, putting New Jersey in imminent danger of invasion.

Its primary objective was to provide a basic governmental framework that would preempt New Jersey's fall into anarchy, yet the constitution served as the charter document for the state's government for the next 68 years.

It separated the government's powers into judicial, legislative, and executive branches and granted the people (as opposed to the legislature) the ability to elect a governor.

Additionally, the state's amendments required that the legislature provide for a free public school system.

[8] We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing upon our endeavors to secure and transmit the same unimpaired to succeeding generations, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

[9]Article I, as is usual for constitutions, establishes the rights and freedoms inherent people and relevant operation of the government.

All persons shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is evident or presumption great... 16.

The New Jersey Redistricting Commission is established, and the distribution of selection of its 13 members is discussed, who are to represent the "geographic, ethnic and racial diversity" of the state.

On the occasion that the twelve members may not reach a decision, the Commission picks two (which assumes there are two dominant parties which have their favorites) and sends them to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

A majority of the court (4 of 7) then picks the one that "by education and occupational experience, by prior public service in government or otherwise, and by demonstrated ability to represent the best interest of the people of this State."

Article IV establishes the bicameral New Jersey Legislature, composed of 40 in the Senate and 80 in the General Assembly, and their apportionment amongst the state.

[15] The Apportionment Commission is created within the Legislature to modify the proration of legislative districts on a rolling basis, following every United States Census.

This includes the judging of elections, the selection of officers, a journal of proceedings, and the inability to adjourn for a period of greater than three days without the consent of the other house.

This is the law that no senator or member of the General Assembly can hold any other Federal or State position, and also cannot be a judge.

Among this list of powers denied are granting divorces, gambling (with obvious exceptions), and passing omnibus acts.

[23] The Governor's power to appoint and nominate the judges of the Supreme and Superior Courts, with the consent of the Senate, is established.

Article VII involves the public officers and employees, including appointment/nomination, compensation, promotions, affirmations, and powers.

Unlike the Federal process, the oath necessary to participate in the impeachment sessions is specified and requires the senators to "truly and impartially" address the charge as a reminder that they are exercising more judicial functions.

Alteration or repeal of tax exemption is allowed, provided that the real or personal property is not used for "religious, educational, charitable or cemetery purposes, as defined by law, and owned by any corporation or association organized and conducted exclusively for one or more of such purposes and not operating for profit.

[32] General laws enacted by legislature which permit municipalities to grant tax exemptions on buildings in blighted urban areas are legalized, with exceptions relating to the deduction's permanence.

Income taxes are banned[33] unless the revenue is placed into a specific perpetual fund, or if the taxer is receiving payments from the Federal Railroad Retirement Act, or similar.

[31] The voting on such plans in public elections is banned, as well as the creation of debt or liabilities "for purposes of war, or to repel invasion, or to suppress insurrection or to meet an emergency caused by disaster or act of God."

The "clearance, replanning, development or redevelopment of blighted areas" is made a public and state duty.

[39] Existing instruments of government, contracts, officers, and judgments are continued unless they are expired, superseded, altered, or repealed.

This is to prevent application as an ex post facto law or violation of the Contract Clause, both prohibited by the United States Constitution.

It mainly consists of an interim list of districts and the number of Senators they can elect until the next United States Census comes around and is received by the Governor.

The New Jersey State Constitution has been criticized, mainly for its disorganized succession plan, as seen following Governor Jim McGreevey's 2004 resignation.

Senate President Richard Codey assumed command, and since he legally held both positions, he temporarily had more power than any other governor in the country, being the head of both executive and legislative branches.