North Carolina
State Constitution
Read the Full Constitution
Access the complete, current text of the North Carolina Constitution through the comprehensive 50 Constitutions database maintained by the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
View North Carolina Constitution →Source: 50constitutions.org
Overview
The North Carolina Constitution of 1971 serves as the fundamental law of the state, establishing the framework for government and protecting the rights of its citizens.
History
North Carolina was admitted to the Union on November 21, 1789.
The current constitution was adopted in 1971. State constitutions are often amended more frequently than the federal Constitution, reflecting changing needs and values of state residents.
Structure of Government
Legislative
State Legislature
Executive
Governor & Cabinet
Judicial
State Courts
Bill of Rights
Like the U.S. Constitution, the North Carolina Constitution includes protections for individual rights and liberties. State constitutions often provide broader protections than the federal Constitution, serving as a "floor" rather than a "ceiling" for rights.