Constitution of South Carolina

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The preamble introduces the purpose of the constitution and also establishes the principle of popular sovereignty. When adopted in 1895, "the people" was envisioned not as the whole of South Carolina's population but of the white male elites who had the suffrage at the time.[30]

We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the preservation and perpetuation of the same.

— Constitution of South Carolina, preamble

Article I

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Article I contains a bill of rights for the people of South Carolina. Many of the rights mirror those found in the federal Bill of Rights, including freedom of speech, religion, and protection from double jeopardy.[31] Other provisions also mirror protections granted in other parts of the federal constitution, including a prohibition on ex post facto laws, and an equal protection clause mirroring that of the 14th Amendment.[32] Some provisions, however, are not found in the federal constitution. These include a prohibition on debtors' prisons and a section regulating who is considered a resident of South Carolina.[33]

Most of Article I dates from 1895 but was reorganized in 1971. Portions of the original Article I were also moved to separate articles at that time.[34] Two amendments have been made to the Article since then, however. The first codifies a victims' rights bill, while the second creates a "right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife traditionally pursued."[35] The latter was part of a wave of similar state constitutional amendments promoted by the gun-rights lobby [National Rifle Association of America](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Rifle_Association_of_America "National Rifle Association of Am

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American state constitution

The Constitution of the State of South Carolina is the governing document of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It describes the structure and function of the state's government. The current constitution took effect on December 4, 1895. South Carolina has had six other constitutions, which were adopted in 1669, 1776, 1778, 1790, 1865 and 1868.[1]