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Transcript of Day 3: The New Jersey Constitution - · PDF fileDay 3: The New Jersey Constitution ......
Day 3: The New Jersey Constitution
Daniel J. Mallinson
Political ScienceStockton University
POLS 3265
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 1 / 15
Road map
Discuss the importance and development of the NewJersey state constitution
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 2 / 15
What is a Constitution?
Describe a constitution in one sentence.
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 3 / 15
What is in the U.S. Constitution?
Articles
1 Legislature
2 Executive
3 Judiciary
4 The States
5 Amendment Process
6 Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
7 Ratification
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 4 / 15
Important Point
We would not have a U.S. Constitution if it were not forthe states
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 5 / 15
How do state constitutions differ?
Not all institutions the same (e.g., Nebraska Leg)
Extended Bills of Rights (e.g., right to education)
Protection of policy through inclusion (e.g., gaming)
Intergovernmental relations (unitary vs. federal)
Much longer
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 6 / 15
Some Stats
Word Count (Guess)1
US Constitution:
8,500
Shortest state: VT (8,565)
Longest: AL (388,882)
New Jersey: 26,360
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 7 / 15
Some Stats
Word Count (Guess)1
US Constitution: 8,500
Shortest state:
VT (8,565)
Longest: AL (388,882)
New Jersey: 26,360
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 7 / 15
Some Stats
Word Count (Guess)1
US Constitution: 8,500
Shortest state: VT (8,565)
Longest:
AL (388,882)
New Jersey: 26,360
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 7 / 15
Some Stats
Word Count (Guess)1
US Constitution: 8,500
Shortest state: VT (8,565)
Longest: AL (388,882)
New Jersey:
26,360
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 7 / 15
Some Stats
Word Count (Guess)1
US Constitution: 8,500
Shortest state: VT (8,565)
Longest: AL (388,882)
New Jersey: 26,360
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 7 / 15
Some Stats
Most constitutions:
LA (11)
Number of amendments: AL (892)
Oldest still in use: MA (1780)
Newest: RI (1986)
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 8 / 15
Some Stats
Most constitutions: LA (11)
Number of amendments:
AL (892)
Oldest still in use: MA (1780)
Newest: RI (1986)
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 8 / 15
Some Stats
Most constitutions: LA (11)
Number of amendments: AL (892)
Oldest still in use:
MA (1780)
Newest: RI (1986)
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 8 / 15
Some Stats
Most constitutions: LA (11)
Number of amendments: AL (892)
Oldest still in use: MA (1780)
Newest:
RI (1986)
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 8 / 15
Some Stats
Most constitutions: LA (11)
Number of amendments: AL (892)
Oldest still in use: MA (1780)
Newest: RI (1986)
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 8 / 15
New Jersey
Three Constitutions
1776
1844
1947
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 9 / 15
Questions to Discuss
1 What were the major deficiencies in the 1776 and1844 constitutions?
2 What ties are there between the constitutionalreforms and major themes we discussed on Thursday?
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 10 / 15
1776
Communitarian
Weak executive and strong legislature
County-level voting (great deal of power in localofficials)
No established religion
No separation of powers or checks and balances
No amendment mechanism
No rights protections
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 11 / 15
1776
Communitarian
Weak executive and strong legislature
County-level voting (great deal of power in localofficials)
No established religion
No separation of powers or checks and balances
No amendment mechanism
No rights protections
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 11 / 15
1844
Federalist
Separate, weak, governor
Distaste for elected judiciary
Democratic control of gov, Republican control ofSenate
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 12 / 15
1844
Federalist
Separate, weak, governor
Distaste for elected judiciary
Democratic control of gov, Republican control ofSenate
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 12 / 15
1947
Managerial
Sounds like 1787 (pg. 134)
Strongest governor
Restructured judiciary
Longer legislative terms
Prohibited gambling (referendum)
Silent on regulation of local govt (home rule)
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 13 / 15
1947
Managerial
Sounds like 1787 (pg. 134)
Strongest governor
Restructured judiciary
Longer legislative terms
Prohibited gambling (referendum)
Silent on regulation of local govt (home rule)
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 13 / 15
Constitutional Amendment Process
Either-Or Method:
60% supermajority vote by legislaturePassage in two successive legislative sessions bysimple majority
Single subject rule
Simple majority approval
Cannot be reintroduced for 2 years if fails
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 14 / 15
Some Stats about New Jersey
Since 1995, an average of two measures on ballot
Total per year ranged from zero to four
Passage rate was 90 percent (38 of 42)
Mallinson Day 3 January 24, 2017 15 / 15