West Virginia
State Constitution
Read the Full Constitution
Access the complete, current text of the West Virginia Constitution through the comprehensive 50 Constitutions database maintained by the State Democracy Research Initiative at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
View West Virginia Constitution →Source: 50constitutions.org
Overview
The West Virginia Constitution of 1872 serves as the fundamental law of the state, establishing the framework for government and protecting the rights of its citizens.
History
West Virginia was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863.
The current constitution was adopted in 1872. 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 West Virginia 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.