Since 1819, when the people of the Alabama Territory organized themselves into a State and became a member of the Union, the citizens of Alabama have had SIX State Constitutions: 1819, 1861, 1865, 1868, 1875, and 1901. For the most part, Alabama's current Constitution has kept many of the original guarantees and limitations of the first State Constitution as well as the ones that followed. For over 200 years, the Alabama Supreme Court has spoken in the voice of its framers, cautious that their intention be the mandate of judicial interpretation. The Alabama Constitution itself established that none could speak with authority and finality concerning its provisions except the Alabama Supreme Court.
Except for historical purposes, the earlier Alabama constitutions are of little value. In fact, the texts of these constitutions are difficult to find. The best sources for texts of all Alabama constitutions are the Code of 1907, containing all of the constitutions and Skinner's Alabama Constitution Annotated, a one volume treatise which contains a comparison of the 1901 Constitution and previous constitutions with case annotations. The text of the 1875 and 1901 Constitutions, with annotations, are found in the first two volumes of the Code of Alabama, 1975.
Constitution of 1819 Alabama's first constitution. Adopted August 02, 1819.
Constitution of 1861 Alabama's second constitution. Adopted March 20, 1861
Constitution of 1865 Alabama's third constitution. Adopted September 12, 1865
Constitution of 1868 Alabama's fourth constitution. Failed of adoption.
Constitution of 1875 Alabama's fifth constitution. December 06, 1875
Constitution of 1901 Alabama's current constitution. Has over 700 amendments.