Pennsylvania Constitution

All acts of the General Assembly, the governor, and each governmental agency are subordinate to it.

[1][2] The current Constitution entered into force in 1968, and has been amended numerous times.

The Constitution may only be amended if a proposed modification receives a majority vote of two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly and then is approved by the electorate.

In such emergency situations, commonwealth election officials are required to publish notice of the referendum on a proposed amendment in a minimum of two newspapers in every county.

[3] The current Constitution of Pennsylvania comprises the following concise Preamble, and Articles and Schedules: WE, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution.Pennsylvania has had five constitutions during its statehood:[4] 1776, 1790, 1838, 1874, and 1968.

A view of a large, ornately-decorated room with several rows of curved desks, arranged in a semicircle. A large mural is visible on the wall at the far end of the room.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives chamber in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with the portrait Apotheosis of Pennsylvania visible on the far wall of the chamber
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776