Constitution Convention Monument: This monument marks the site where the Florida's first constitution was signed. It is located in Port St. Joe, Gulf County, Florida.
Chronology of Florida's Constitution
1838. Florida's First Constitution. In preparation for statehood, a constitution convention was convened in St. Joseph (now known as Port St. Joe, located in Gulf County). The convention was attended by 56 delegates. The convention established a pattern that already prevailed in many of the states: a one term governor, a bicameral legislature, and department administrators selected by the legislature and eligible for re-election. The constitution was ratified by the voters of Florida by a margin of 2,070 for the constitution and 1,975 against.
1861. Florida's Second Constitution. The constitution convention met in Tallahassee on January 3, 1861 and produced for adoption an Ordinance of Secession declaring Florida to be a "sovereign and independent nation." New to the constitution was the duty imposed upon the General Assembly (legislature) to "provide for the purchase or erection of a suitable building for the residence of the governor and the governor shall reside at the seat of government." The Constitution became void in 1865 with the collapse of the confederacy.
1865. Florida's Third Constitution. In the aftermath of the war between the states, President Andrew Johnson appointed a provisional governor and directed the meeting of a constitution convention. The convention annulled the Ordinance of Secession and adopted a constitution that was never submitted to the people for ratification. The constitution included for the first time, a separately elected lieutenant governor and it also provided for the election of a secretary of state, an attorney general, a comptroller, and a treasurer (similar to the current cabinet system). Because Florida was under Federal control after the civil war, the Constitution of 1865 never became operative.
1868. Florida's Fourth Constitution. This constitution is referenced as the Reconstruction or Carpetbag constitution and was the result of a constitution convention beginning November 14, 1867. The constitution was ratified by the people on May 4, 1868. The constitution provided for all political power to reside in the governor because all county offices became appointed rather than elected. The constitution also established a system of public schools, and the legislative article was amended to provide for a seat for a Seminole Indian.
1885. Florida's Fifth Constitution. The fifth constitution reversed many of the provisions found in the fourth constitution and it controlled Florida government until 1968. The constitution restored the election of public offices, reduced the salaries of the governor and other state officers, made the governor ineligible for reelection, abolished the office of lieutenant governor, and provided for a legislature of fixed numbers.
1968. Florida's Sixth Constitution. The 1968 constitution was the product of the 1968 constitution revision commission chaired by Chesterfield Smith. The commission was established by the Legislature and it created a document that serves as the modern constitution of Florida.
Source: The Florida Handbook, Alan Morris (1995)
