State constitution
Constitution of Vermont
Data from Vermont General Assembly
Modeled as two chapters: Chapter I (Declaration of Rights, Articles 1-22) and Chapter II (Plan or Frame of Government, Sections 1-76, grouped into departments). Section text is condensed; read the verbatim text at the source link.
Article I Chapter I — A Declaration of the Rights of the Inhabitants of the State of Vermont
§ 1 All persons born free; natural rights; slavery prohibited
All persons are born equally free and independent with natural, inherent rights, and slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited.
§ 2 Private property subject to public use; owner to be paid
Private property is subordinate to public use when necessity requires, but the owner must receive an equivalent in money.
§ 3 Freedom in religion; right and duty of worship
All persons have a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to conscience, and none may be compelled to attend or support any worship against their will.
§ 4 Remedy at law secured to all
Every person ought to find a certain remedy by recourse to the laws for all injuries or wrongs received in person, property, or character.
§ 5 Internal police
The people of this state have the sole, exclusive, and inherent right of governing and regulating their internal police.
§ 6 Officers servants of the people
All officers of government are trustees and servants of the people and at all times accountable to them.
§ 7 Government for the people; they may change it
Government is instituted for the common benefit of the people, who have a right to reform or alter it when their protection or happiness requires.
§ 8 Elections to be free and pure; rights of voters
All elections ought to be free and without corruption, and every voter has an equal right to elect officers and be elected.
§ 9 Citizens' rights and duties; bearing arms; taxation
Every member of society is bound to contribute their proportion to its protection and to bear arms or pay an equivalent, but none may be taxed without consent.
§ 10 Rights of persons accused of crime; jury; waiver
In criminal prosecutions the accused has the rights to be heard, to know the charge, to confront witnesses, to counsel, and to a speedy public jury trial, and may not be compelled to give evidence against themselves.
§ 11 Search and seizure regulated
The people have a right to be free from unwarranted searches and seizures, and general warrants unsupported by evidence are contrary to that right.
§ 12 Trial by jury to be held sacred
When issues of fact arise, the parties have a right to trial by jury, which ought to be held sacred.
§ 13 Freedom of speech and of the press
The people have a right to freedom of speech and of writing and publishing their sentiments, and the freedom of the press ought not to be restrained.
§ 14 Immunity for words spoken in legislative debate
Members of the legislature may not be questioned in any other place for words spoken in debate.
§ 15 Legislature only may suspend laws
The power of suspending laws or their execution ought never to be exercised but by the legislature or its authority.
§ 16 Right to bear arms; standing armies; military subordinate
The people have a right to bear arms for defense of themselves and the state; standing armies in peacetime are dangerous, and the military is subordinate to the civil power.
§ 17 Martial law restricted
No person in the military is exempt from the ordinary process of law except in actual service and time of war.
§ 18 Fundamental principles necessary to preserve liberty
A frequent recurrence to fundamental principles and a firm adherence to justice, moderation, and virtue are necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty.
§ 19 Right to emigrate
Persons who wish to emigrate from the state may do so with their property when the required exactions have been paid.
§ 20 Right to assemble, instruct and petition
The people have a right to assemble, to consult for the common good, to instruct their representatives, and to petition for redress of grievances.
§ 21 No transportation for trial
No person shall be transported out of the state for trial for any offense committed within it.
§ 22 Personal reproductive liberty
An individual's right to personal reproductive autonomy is central to liberty and may not be denied or infringed unless justified by a compelling state interest.
Article II Chapter II — Plan or Frame of Government
§ 1 Governing power
The Commonwealth or State of Vermont shall be governed by a Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Senate, and House of Representatives.
§ 2 Supreme Legislative power
The supreme legislative power is vested in a Senate and House of Representatives.
§ 3 Supreme Executive power
The supreme executive power is vested in a Governor, or in the Lieutenant-Governor acting as Governor.
§ 4 Judiciary
The judicial power is vested in a unified judicial system as established by the constitution and the General Assembly.
§ 5 Departments to be distinct
The legislative, executive, and judiciary departments shall be separate and distinct so that neither exercises the powers of another.
§ 6 Legislative powers
The legislative power of the House of Representatives and Senate is defined and exercised as provided in this chapter.
§ 7 Biennial sessions
The General Assembly meets biennially and at such other times as provided.
§ 8 Doors of General Assembly to be open
The doors of the House in which the General Assembly sits shall be open for the admission of all orderly persons except when business requires secrecy.
§ 9 Journals; yeas and nays
Each house keeps a journal of its proceedings and enters the yeas and nays on any question at the desire of members.
§ 10 Style of laws
Prescribes the enacting style in which the laws of the state are framed.
§ 11 Governor to approve bills; veto; nonaction
Every bill is presented to the Governor, who may approve or veto it, and provision is made for override and for bills becoming law without signature.
§ 12 Fees for advocating bills
No fee shall be accepted for advocating or opposing any bill before the General Assembly.
§ 13 Representatives; number
Provides the number and apportionment of Representatives.
§ 14 Powers of House
Sets the powers of the House of Representatives.
§ 15 Residence of Representatives and Senators
Requires Representatives and Senators to reside in the districts they represent.
§ 16 Representatives' oaths
Prescribes the oath taken by Representatives.
§ 17 Oath of Senators and Representatives
Prescribes the oath of office taken by Senators and Representatives.
§ 18 Senators; number; qualifications
Sets the number of Senators, their apportionment, and their qualifications.
§ 19 Powers of Senate; Lieutenant-Governor's duties
Sets the powers of the Senate and the duties of the Lieutenant-Governor as its presiding officer.
§ 20 Governor; executive power
Vests the executive power in the Governor and prescribes its exercise.
§ 21 Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs
Provides for the Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs.
§ 22 Commissions; State Seal
Commissions run in the name of the state and are sealed with the State Seal.
§ 23 Residence of Governor and Lieutenant-Governor
Requires the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor to reside in the state during their terms.
§ 24 Vacancy in office of Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Treasurer
Provides for filling vacancies in the offices of Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Treasurer.
§ 25 Security given by Treasurer and Sheriffs
Requires the Treasurer and Sheriffs to give security for the faithful performance of their duties.
§ 26 Treasurer's accounts
Requires the Treasurer to keep and render accounts of the state's money.
§ 27 Drawing money from Treasury
Money is drawn from the Treasury only by warrant on appropriations made by law.
§ 28 Courts of justice
Provides for the establishment of courts of justice throughout the state.
§ 29 The Supreme Court; composition
Establishes the Supreme Court and its composition.
§ 30 Supreme Court; jurisdiction
Sets the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
§ 31 Lower courts; jurisdiction
Provides for the lower courts and their jurisdiction.
§ 32 Filling judicial vacancies
Provides the method for filling vacancies in judicial office.
§ 33 Interim judicial appointments
Provides for interim appointments to judicial office.
§ 34 Judicial term of office
Sets the term of office for judges and their retention.
§ 35 Mandatory retirement
Requires judges to retire at the age fixed by law.
§ 36 Suspension and removal; procedures
Provides for the suspension and removal of judges and the procedures implementing the judicial-selection sections.
§ 37 Rule-making power
Vests rule-making power over practice and procedure in the Supreme Court.
§ 38 Jury trials
Preserves the right of trial by jury.
§ 39 Forms of prosecutions and indictments; fines
Prescribes the forms of criminal prosecutions and indictments and governs fines.
§ 40 Excessive bail; bailable prisoners; imprisonment for debt
Prohibits excessive bail, makes prisoners bailable except in specified cases, and forbids imprisonment for debt.
§ 41 Habeas corpus
The writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except when public safety requires it.
§ 42 Voter's qualifications and oath
Sets the qualifications of voters and the voter's oath of allegiance.
§ 43 Biennial elections
Provides for biennial general elections.
§ 44 Election of Representatives and Senators
Provides for the election of Representatives and Senators.
§ 45 Manner of election
Prescribes the manner in which elections are conducted.
§ 46 Terms of Senators and Representatives
Fixes the terms of office of Senators and Representatives.
§ 47 Election of Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Treasurer
Provides for the election of the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Treasurer.
§ 48 Election of Secretary of State and Auditor
Provides for the election of the Secretary of State and Auditor of Accounts.
§ 49 Term of Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Treasurer
Fixes the terms of office of the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and Treasurer.
§ 50 Election of Assistant Judges, Sheriffs, State's Attorneys
Provides for the election of Assistant Judges, Sheriffs, and State's Attorneys.
§ 51 Election of Judges of Probate
Provides for the election of Judges of Probate.
§ 52 Election of Justices of the Peace; apportionment
Provides for the election and apportionment of Justices of the Peace.
§ 53 Election of county and local officers
Provides for electing Assistant Judges, Sheriffs, State's Attorneys, Judges of Probate, and Justices of the Peace.
§ 54 Incompatible offices
Bars a person from simultaneously holding incompatible offices.
§ 55 Freedom of elections; bribery
Guarantees free elections and prohibits bribery in them.
§ 56 Oaths of allegiance and office
Prescribes the oaths of allegiance and of office for public officers.
§ 57 Impeachments, House may order
The House of Representatives has the power to order impeachments.
§ 58 Impeachment; Senate to try; judgment
Impeachments are tried by the Senate, and judgment extends to removal and disqualification from office.
§ 59 Militia
Provides for the organization and command of the militia.
§ 60 Legislature restricted
Places specified restrictions on the legislature.
§ 61 Offices of profit; compensation; illegal fees
Governs offices of profit, official compensation, and prohibits the taking of illegal fees.
§ 62 Record of deeds
Provides for the recording of deeds.
§ 63 Entails to be regulated
Directs the legislature to regulate entails so as to prevent perpetuities.
§ 64 Punishment at hard labor
Provides for punishment at hard labor in appropriate cases.
§ 65 Suicide's estate not forfeited; no deodand
The estate of a person who commits suicide is not forfeited, and there shall be no deodand.
§ 66 Citizenship
Defines the citizenship of inhabitants of the state.
§ 67 Hunting, fowling and fishing
Guarantees the inhabitants the liberty to hunt, fowl, and fish on lands not enclosed, subject to regulation.
§ 68 Laws to encourage virtue; schools; religion
Directs the encouragement of virtue and the prevention of vice, the maintenance of schools, and the support of religious societies.
§ 69 Charters; limit on right to grant
Limits the granting of charters of incorporation.
§ 70 Workers' compensation
Authorizes laws providing compensation to workers for injuries arising out of employment.
§ 71 Declaration of rights not to be violated
The Declaration of Rights is excepted out of the general powers of government and shall remain inviolate.
§ 72 Amending Constitution
Amendments may be proposed in the Senate, agreed to by both houses over two successive General Assemblies, and ratified by the voters.
§ 73 Manner of apportionment of the General Assembly
Governs the apportionment of the General Assembly.
§ 74 Extension of terms of certain officers
A temporary provision extending the terms of certain officers to align with the reorganized government.
§ 75 Revision of Chapter II
A temporary provision authorizing the revision and renumbering of Chapter II.
§ 76 Inclusive language revision
A temporary provision authorizing revision of the constitution's text to use gender-inclusive language.
Full, verbatim text at Vermont General Assembly