Alabama

Preamble

We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution .

Section 1

That all men are equally free and independent; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights ; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Alaska

Preamble
We the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land, in order to secure and transmit to succeeding generations our heritage of political, civil, and religious liberty within the Union of States, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Alaska.

Article 1 - Declaration of rights
This Constitution is dedicated to the principles that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the rewards of their own industry; that all persons are equal and entitled to equal rights , opportunities, and protection under the law; and that all persons have corresponding obligations to the people and to the State.

Arizona

Preamble
We the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution .

Article 2

Section 2
All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their
just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain
individual rights .

Section 4
No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

Arkansas

Preamble.
We, the People of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government; for our civil and religious liberty; and desiring to perpetuate its blessings, and secure the same to our selves and posterity ; do ordain and establish this Constitution .

Article 2.
1. All political power is inherent in the people and government is instituted for their protection, security and benefit; and they have the right to alter, reform or abolish the same, in such manner as they may think proper.

2. All men are created equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and inalienable rights ; amongst which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty; of acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and reputation; and of pursuing their own happiness. To secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

California

Preamble
We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure and perpetuate its blessings, do establish this Constitution .

Article 1.

Section 1.

All people are by nature free and independent and have inalienable rights .  Among these are enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety, happiness, and privacy.

Connecticut

Preamble
The People of Connecticut acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God, in having permitted them to enjoy a free government; do, in order more effectually to define, secure, and perpetuate the liberties, rights and privileges which they have derived from their ancestors; hereby, after a careful consideration and revision, ordain and establish the following Constitution and form of civil government.

Article First.
That the great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established,

We Declare:
SEC. 1. All men when they form a social compact, are equal in rights ; and no man or set of men are entitled to exclusive public emoluments or privileges from the community.

SEC. 2. All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit; and they have at all times an undeniable and indefeasible right to alter their form of government in such manner as they may think expedient.

SEC. 3. The exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be free to all persons in the state; provided, that the right hereby declared and established, shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness , or to justify practices inconsistent with the peace and safety of the state.

Preamble
To perpetuate the principles of free government, insure justice to all, preserve peace, promote the interest and happiness of the citizen and of the family, and transmit to posterity the enjoyment of liberty, we the people of Georgia, relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution .

Article I.

Section I. Paragraph I. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property except by due process of law.

Section I. Paragraph II. Protection to person and property is the paramount duty of government and shall be impartial and complete.  No person shall be denied the equal protection of the Laws .

Section I. Paragraph VII. All citizens of the United States, resident in this state, are hereby declared citizens of this state; and it shall be the duty of the General Assembly to enact such Laws as will protect them in the full enjoyment of the rights , privileges , and immunities due to such citizenship.

Section I. Paragraph XVIII. Jeopardy of life or liberty more than once forbidden. No person shall be put in jeopardy of life or liberty more than once for the same offense except when a new trial has been granted after conviction or in case of mistrial.

Section I. Paragraph XXIX. Enumeration of rights not denial of others. The enumeration of rights herein contained as a part of this Constitution shall not be construed to deny to the people any inherent rights which they may have hitherto enjoyed.

Preamble
We, the people of Hawaii, grateful for Divine Guidance, and mindful of our Hawaiian heritage and uniqueness as an island State, dedicate our efforts to fulfill the philosophy decreed by the Hawaii State motto, "Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono."

We reserve the right to control our destiny, to nurture the integrity of our people and culture, and to preserve the quality of life that we desire.

We reaffirm our belief in a government of the people, by the people and for the people, and with an understanding and compassionate heart toward all the peoples of the earth, do hereby ordain and establish this Constitution for the State of Hawaii.

Article 1

Section 2. All persons are free by nature and are equal in their inherent and inalienable rights . Among these rights are the enjoyment of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and the acquiring and possessing of property. These rights cannot endure unless the people recognize their corresponding obligations and responsibilities.

Section 8. No citizen shall be disfranchised, or deprived of any of the rights or privileges secured to other citizens, unless by the law of the land.

Section 22. The enumeration of rights and privileges shall not be construed to impair or deny others retained by the people.

Preamble
We, the people of the state of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare do establish this Constitution .

Article 1

Section 1. All men are by nature free and equal, and have certain inalienable rights , among which are enjoying and defending life and liberty; acquiring, possessing and protecting property; pursuing happiness and securing safety.

Article 1. Section 21. This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair or deny other rights retained by the people.

Preamble
TO THE END, that justice be established, public order maintained, and liberty perpetuated; WE, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to ALMIGHTY GOD for the free exercise of the right to choose our own form of government, do ordain this Constitution .

Article 1.

Section 1. WE DECLARE, That all people are created equal; that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain inalienable rights ; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that all power is inherent in the people; and that all free governments are, and of right ought to be, founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and well-being. For the advancement of these ends, the people have, at all times, an indefeasible right to alter and reform their government.

Preamble
WE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF IOWA, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the State of Iowa, the boundaries whereof shall be as follows:

Article 1.

rights of persons. Section 1. All men and women are, by nature, free and equal, and have certain inalienable rights --among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness.

rights reserved. Section 25. This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair or deny others, retained by the people.

Preamble
We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges , in order to insure the full enjoyment of our rights as American citizens, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the state of Kansas, with the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at a point on the western boundary of the state of Missouri, where the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude crosses the same; thence running west on said parallel to the twenty-fifth meridian of longitude west from Washington; thence north on said meridian to the fortieth parallel of north latitude; thence east on said parallel to the western boundary of the state of Missouri; thence south with the western boundary of said state to the place of beginning.

Article 1.

Section 1. Equal rights . All men are possessed of equal and inalienable natural rights , among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Article 1. Section 20. Powers retained by people. This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair or deny others retained by the people; and all powers not herein delegated remain with the people.

Preamble
We, the people of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political, economic, and religious liberties we enjoy, and desiring to protect individual rights to life, liberty, and property; afford opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; assure equality of rights ; promote the health, safety, education, and welfare of the people; maintain a representative and orderly government; ensure domestic tranquility; provide for the common defense; and secure the blessings of freedom and justice to ourselves and our posterity , do ordain and establish this Constitution .

Article 1

Section 1.
All government, of right, originates with the people, is founded on their will alone, and is instituted to protect the rights of the individual and for the good of the whole. Its only legitimate ends are to secure justice for all, preserve peace, protect the rights , and promote the happiness and general welfare of the people. The rights enumerated in this Article are inalienable by the state and shall be preserved inviolate by the state.

Article 1 - Section 2.
No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, except by due process of law.

Preamble
We the people of Maine, in order to establish justice, insure tranquility, provide for our mutual defense, promote our common welfare , and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of liberty, acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity, so favorable to the design; and, imploring God's aid and direction in its accomplishment, do agree to form ourselves into a free and independent State, by the style and title of the State of Maine and do ordain and establish the following Constitution for the government of the same.

Article 1.

Section 1. Natural rights . All people are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and unalienable rights , among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and of pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness.

Section 24. Other rights not impaired. The enumeration of certain rights shall not impair nor deny others retained by the people.

Preamble
We, the People of the State of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty, and taking into our serious consideration the best means of establishing a good Constitution in this State for the sure foundation and more permanent security thereof, declare:

Article 24.

That no man ought to be taken or imprisoned or disseized of his freehold, liberties or privileges , or outlawed, or exiled, or, in any manner, destroyed, or deprived of his life, liberty or property, but by the judgment of his peers, or by the Law of the land.

Massachusetts

Preamble
The end of the institution, maintenance, and administration of government, is to secure the existence of the body politic, to protect it, and to furnish the individuals who compose it with the power of enjoying in safety and tranquillity their natural rights , and the blessings of life: and whenever these great objects are not obtained, the people have a right to alter the government, and to take measures necessary for their safety, prosperity and happiness.

We, therefore, the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the goodness of the great Legislator of the universe, in affording us, in the course of His providence, an opportunity, deliberately and peaceably, without fraud, violence or surprise, of entering into an original, explicit, and solemn compact with each other; and of forming a new Constitution of civil government, for ourselves and posterity ; and devoutly imploring His direction in so interesting a design, do agree upon, ordain and establish the following Declaration of rights , and Frame of Government, as the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Article I.

All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights ; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness.

Article XXIX.

It is essential to the preservation of the rights of every individual, his life, liberty, property, and character, that there be an impartial interpretation of the Laws , and administration of justice. It is the right of every citizen to be tried by judges as free, impartial and independent as the lot of humanity will admit. It is, therefore, not only the best policy, but for the security of the rights of the people, and of every citizen, that the judges of the Supreme judicial court should hold their offices as long as they behave themselves well; and that they should have honorable salaries ascertained and established by standing Laws .

Minnesota

Preamble
We, the people of the state of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings and secure the same to ourselves and our posterity , do ordain and establish this Constitution

Article 1
Sec. 2. No member of this state shall be disfranchised or deprived of any of the rights or privileges secured to any citizen thereof, unless by the law of the land or the judgment of his peers. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the state otherwise than as punishment for a crime of which the party has been convicted.

Preamble
We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking his blessing on our work, do ordain and establish this Constitution .

Article 1

SECTION 32. The enumeration of rights in this Constitution shall not be construed to deny and impair others retained by, and inherent in, the people.

Missouri

Preamble
We the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, do establish this Constitution for the better government of the state.

Promotion of general welfare --natural rights of persons--equality under the law--purpose of government.

Section 2. That all Constitutional government is intended to promote the general welfare of the people; that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry; that all persons are created equal and are entitled to equal rights and opportunity under the law; that to give security to these things is the principal office of government, and that when government does not confer this security, it fails in its chief design.

Montana

Preamble
We the people of Montana grateful to God for the quiet beauty of our state, the grandeur of our mountains, the vastness of our rolling plains, and desiring to improve the quality of life, equality of opportunity and to secure the blessings of liberty for this and future generations do ordain and establish this Constitution .

Section 3. inalienable rights . All persons are born free and have certain inalienable rights . They include the right to a clean and healthful environment and the rights of pursuing life's basic necessities, enjoying and defending their lives and liberties, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and seeking their safety, health and happiness in all lawful ways. In enjoying these rights , all persons recognize corresponding responsibilities.

Section 34. Unenumerated rights . The enumeration in this Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny, impair, or disparage others retained by the people.

Nebraska

Preamble
We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, do ordain and establish the following declaration of rights and frame of  government, as  the Constitution   of the  State of Nebraska.

Article I:
Statement of rights .
CI-1  All  persons  are by nature free and independent and have certain inherent and inalienable rights ; among these are life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the  right  to  keep and  bear arms for security or defense of self, family, home, and others, and for lawful common defense, hunting, recreational use, and all other lawful purposes,  and  such  rights   shall  not  be denied  or  infringed by the state or any subdivision thereof. To secure these rights , and the protection of property,  governments are  instituted among people, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Sec. 26.  This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair or deny others, retained by  the people, and all powers  not herein delegated, remain with the people.

New Hampshire

Preamble
[Art.] 2. [Natural rights .] All men have certain natural, essential, and inherent rights - among which are, the enjoying and defending life and liberty; acquiring, possessing, and protecting, property; and, in a word, of seeking and obtaining happiness. Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by this state on account of race, creed, color, sex or national origin.

Preamble
We The People of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our Freedom, in order to secure its blessings, DO ESTABLISH THIS Constitution .

Section 1.

No member of this state shall be disfranchised, or deprived of any of the rights or privileges secured to any citizen thereof, unless by the law of the land, or the judgment of his or her peers, except that the legislature may provide that there shall be no primary election held to nominate candidates for public office or to elect persons to party positions for any political party or parties in any unit of representation of the state from which such candidates or persons are nominated or elected whenever there is no contest or contests for such nominations or election as may be prescribed by general law.

Preamble
We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain and establish this Constitution .

Section 1.

All individuals are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inalienable rights , among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty; acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation; pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness; and to keep and bear arms for the defense of their person, family, property, and the state, and for lawful hunting, recreational, and other lawful purposes, which shall not be infringed.

Preamble

We, the people of the State of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and promote our common welfare , do establish this Constitution .

Article 1.

Section 1. All men are, by nature, free and independent, and have certain inalienable rights , among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and seeking and obtaining happiness and safety.

Section 20. This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair or deny others retained by the people; and all powers, not herein delegated, remain with the people.

Preamble
Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessing of liberty; to secure just and rightful government; to promote our mutual welfare and happiness, we, the people of the State of Oklahoma, do ordain and establish this Constitution .

Article 2.
Section 2-2.  All persons have the inherent right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the gains of their own industry.

Section 2-33. The enumeration in this Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny, impair, or disparage others retained by the people.

Preamble
We the people of the State of Oregon to the end that Justice be established, order maintained, and liberty perpetuated, do ordain this Constitution .

Section 1.

We declare that all men, when they form a social compact are equal in right: that all power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and happiness; and they have at all times a right to alter, reform, or abolish the government in such manner as they may think proper.

Pennsylvania

Preamble
WE, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution .

Article 1
That the general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and unalterably established, WE DECLARE THAT -

Section 1.
All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights , among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness.

Preamble

Whereas, The people of the territory of the United States south of the river Ohio, having the right of admission into the general government as a member state thereof, consistent with the Constitution of the United States, and the act of cession of the state of North Carolina, recognizing the ordinance for the government of the territory—of the United States north west of the Ohio River, by their delegates and representatives in convention assembled, did on the sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninetysix,  ordain and establish a Constitution , or form of government, and mutually agreed with each other to form themselves into a free and independent state by the name of the state of Tennessee.

Article I.
Section 1. That all power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and happiness; for the advancement of those ends they have at all times, an unalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform, or abolish the government in such manner as they may think proper.
Section 2. That government being instituted for the common benefit, the doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power and oppression is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.

Texas

Preamble
Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution .

Article 1
Bill of rights
That the general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare:
Sec. 1. Freedom and Sovereignty of State. Texas is a free and independent State, subject only to the Constitution of the United States, and the maintenance of our free institutions and the perpetuity of the Union depend upon the preservation of the right of local self-government, unimpaired to all the States.
Sec. 2. inherent Political Power; Republican Form of Government. All political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit. The faith of the people of Texas stands pledged to the preservation of a republican form of government, and, subject to this limitation only, they have at all times the inalienable right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think expedient.
Sec. 3. Equal rights . All free men, when they form a social compact, have equal rights , and no man, or set of men, is entitled to exclusive separate public emoluments , or privileges , but in consideration of public services.
Sec. 19. Deprivation of Life, Liberty, etc.; Due Course of Law. No citizen of this State shall be deprived of life, liberty, property, privileges or immunities, or in any manner disfranchised, except by the due course of the law of the land.

Utah

Preamble.
Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we, the people of Utah, in order to secure and perpetuate the principles of free government, do ordain and establish this Constitution .

Article I

Section 1.
All men have the inherent and inalienable right to enjoy and defend their lives and liberties; to acquire, possess and protect property; to worship according to the dictates of their consciences; to assemble peaceably, protest against wrongs, and petition for redress of grievances; to communicate freely their thoughts and opinions, being responsible for the abuse of that right.

Vermont

Article I. A Declaration Of the rights of the Inhabitants of the State of Vermont
That all persons are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent , and unalienable rights , amongst which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety; therefore no person born in this country, or brought from over sea, ought to be holden by law, to serve any person as a servant, slave or apprentice, after arriving to the age of twenty-one years, unless bound by the person's own consent , after arriving to such age, or bound by law for the payment of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like.

Virginia

Article I - Bill of rights

A DECLARATION OF rights made by the good people of Virginia in the exercise of their sovereign powers, which rights do pertain to them and their posterity , as the basis and foundation of government.

Section 1. Equality and rights of men.
That all men are by nature equally free and independent and have certain inherent rights , of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity ; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

Washington

Preamble
We, the people of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution .

Article I - Declaration of rights
SECTION 1 All political power is inherent in the people, and governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, and are established to protect and maintain individual rights .

SECTION 2 The Constitution of the United States is the Supreme law of the land.

SECTION 3 No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

Preamble
Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia, in and through the provisions of this Constitution , reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God and seek diligently to promote, preserve and perpetuate good government in the state of West Virginia for the common welfare , freedom and security of ourselves and our posterity .

Article III

Section 1
All men are, by nature, equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights , of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity , namely:  The enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and of pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.

Wisconsin

Preamble
We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquility and promote the general welfare , do establish this Constitution .

Article I.
Equality; inherent rights . SECTION 1.  All people are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights ; among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; to secure these rights , governments are instituted, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.