13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (2024)

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (1)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

If you sat down and tried to read the constitution of the State of Alabama, it would take you more than two days – and that’s assuming you didn’t take any breaks.

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (2)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

If you sat down and tried to read the constitution of the State of Alabama, it would take you more than two days – and that’s assuming you didn’t take any breaks.

Alabama’s Constitution is some 388,882 words long and it’s believed to be the longest such document in the world. Its massive length is due in part to its 892 amendments that cover everything from bingo and mosquito control to how to deal with dead farm animals and prostitution.

The problem dates back 1901 when the current constitution was passed. That document stripped local communities of any right to home rule, meaning they have to look to their legislative delegations to make changes. Each of those laws gets added on to the state constitution and before you know it, you end up with a massive document.

It’s hard to get your mind around just how massive the constitution is, so here are some visuals you can use to compare.

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (3)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

181,253 words - The New Testament of the Bible. At 593,493 words, the Old Testament does trump the Alabama Constitution, however.

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (4)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

7,400 words - US Constitution, including amendments

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (5)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

269,338 words - The first three Harry Potter books – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner ofAzkaban combined.

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (6)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

113,274 words – George Orwell's "Animal Farm," Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol," John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men," and Richard Matheson's "I am Legend" combined.

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (7)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

272 words – Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (8)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

3,600 words – The original Magna Carta, one of the earliest documents outlining the rights of an individual and an inspiration for the formation of the U.S.

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (9)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

36,000 words- The average length of a state constitution in the U.S.

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (10)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

81,666 words – The length of the second-longest state constitution in the U.S. It belong s to Texas.

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (11)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

For the record, Alabama’s constitution is longer than the constitutions of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware and Florida combined.

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (12)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

117,369 words – The Constitution of India. It's considered the longest written constitution for any sovereign country in the world. It's less than half the size of Alabama's constitution. For comparison, India is home to 1.3 billion people; Alabama's population is 4.8 million.

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (13)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

1,667 words – Martin Luther King's historic "I have a dream speech."

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (14)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

8,445 words – The length of President William Henry Harrison's 1841 inaugural address. It's the longest presidential and took one hour and 45 minutes for Harrison to deliver on what was a cold, wet day in Washington, D.C. Harrison caught a cold shortly after and died on April 4, 1841 after about a month in office.

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (15)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

99,121 words– Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird."

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (16)

Leada Gore | lgore@al.com

13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution

Does it matter? Yes. As Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama said: "If you want clarity, efficiency, and effectiveness, it does matter. If you want responsibility and accountability, Alabama's constitution is indeed a problem."

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13 things shorter than Alabama's Constitution (2024)

FAQs

What is Section 13 of the Alabama constitution? ›

I, § 13. That all courts shall be open; and that every person, for any injury done him, in his lands, goods, person, or reputation, shall have a remedy by due process of law; and right and justice shall be administered without sale, denial, or delay.

What things did the 13 state constitutions have in common? ›

what are the common features of State constitutions? Popular Sovereignty, Limited Government, Civil Rights and Liberties, and Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances.

Which state has the shortest constitution? ›

The shortest is the Constitution of Vermont, adopted in 1793 and currently 8,295 words long.

Does Alabama have the longest constitution? ›

Alabama's Constitution of 2022 is still, by far, the longest state constitution in the United States, three times as long as the next longest state constitution. Though now better organized, it is still complex and contradictory.

What is Article 13 of the Constitution simplified? ›

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

What is the Article 13 of the Declaration of rights? ›

Article 13

Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

What was the 13 states first constitution? ›

The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777. This document served as the United States' first constitution. It was in force from March 1, 1781, until 1789 when the present-day Constitution went into effect.

Did all 13 states agree to the Constitution? ›

By this time, all the States except North Carolina and Rhode Island had ratified—the Ocean State was the last to ratify on May 29, 1790.

Did the 13 colonies have constitutions? ›

The Declaration of Independence in July further encouraged the states to form new governments, and most states had adopted new constitutions by the end of 1776.

How many words is the Alabama Constitution? ›

Alabama's Constitution is some 388,882 words long and it's believed to be the longest such document in the world.

Which U.S. state constitution is the oldest ______? ›

A convention was then elected specifically to draft a constitution. John Adams wrote most of it, which included a bill of rights. Massachusetts voters finally ap- proved this constitution by the re- quired two-thirds vote in 1780. This was the first time voters rati- fied a state constitution.

Whose constitution is the shortest? ›

The Constitution of India is the longest written constitution of any country in the world, with 146,385 words in its English-language version, while the Constitution of Monaco is the shortest written constitution with 3,814 words.

What are some fun facts about the Alabama Constitution? ›

Alabama has had seven state constitutions. The current constitution has 18 articles. The current constitution has been amended 11 times.

Who wrote the Alabama Constitution? ›

Between July 5 and August 2, 1819, forty-four delegates from across the Territory convened in Huntsville to draft a constitution for statehood. Lawyers, merchants, ministers, planters, farmers, and physicians gathered here to produce a legal framework for self-government to protect the sovereignty of the people.

What is Section 256 of the Alabama Constitution? ›

Duty of legislature to establish and maintain public school system; apportionment of public school fund; separate schools for white and colored children.

What is Section 13 Articles of Confederation? ›

Article 13: Declared that the Articles of Confederation were forever and could only be changed by the Congress of Confederation and if all the states agreed.

What is Section 13A 13 7 in Alabama? ›

Title 13A - Criminal Code. Chapter 13 - Offenses Against the Family. Section 13A-13-7 - Inducing or Attempting to Induce Abortion, Miscarriage or Premature Delivery of Woman. Inducing or attempting to induce abortion, miscarriage or premature delivery of woman.

What is Title 13 unlawful imprisonment in Alabama? ›

A person commits the crime of unlawful imprisonment in the first degree if he/she restrains another person under circ*mstances which expose the latter to a risk of serious physical injury.

What is Section 13A 10 109 Code of Alabama 1975? ›

(a) A person commits the crime of unsworn falsification to authorities if, with an intent to mislead a public servant in the performance of his duty, he makes or submits any written statement, which he does not believe to be true, in an application for pecuniary or other benefit, or a record or report required by law ...

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