Comparison of the US Constitution and Florida Constitution

U.S. Constitution and Constitution of Florida

The structures of the United States Constitution (USC) and the Florida State Constitution (FSC) are remarkably similar. Both are broken up into articles (seven in the former, twelve in the latter) and further subdivided into sections. The USC, however, includes twenty-seven amendments.

Much of the content of the USC amendments, particularly the first ten (which are known collectively as the "Bill of Rights") are incorporated into the first article of the FSC. This article, summarized as a "Declaration of Rights" is clearly an attempt to learn from the omissions of the past; even the order of the sections closely match the USC amendments.

The second article of the FSC, "General Provisions," covers issues such as boundaries, form of government, the basis of state ethical law, and declaring the official language. None of this material has a counterpart in the USC.

The first three articles of the USC are the third, fourth, and fifth of the FSC. They cover each of the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. The FSC is very exhaustive on the topics of powers, duties, and purpose, but the USC only briefly addresses a handful of critical issues before moving on to the next branch.

This reflects the fact that these documents fill different roles. The USC was, first and foremost, a statement to England, the world, and the newly-formed United States of America, that it had become a sovereign nation. The particulars were inconsequential except inasmuch as they inspired confidence in the ability of the new government to act successfully.