Indiana.
This state formed a constitution and was admitted into the union, in 1816. The present constitution was adopted in 1851.
Electors. White male citizens, having resided in the state six months. Also foreigners who have resided in the United States one year, in the state six months, and have declared their intention to become citizens.
Legislature--styled general assembly. The number of senators may not exceed fifty; the number of representatives may not exceed one hundred; both to be chosen in their respective counties or districts, senators for four years, one-half every two years; representatives for two years. Both are apportioned according to the number of white male inhabitants twenty-one years of age, every six years. They must have been citizens of the state two years; of the county or district, one year. Senators must be twenty-five years of age.
Quorum, two-thirds. Bills must be finally passed by majorities of all the members elected. The same majorities enact a bill disapproved by the governor. If he does not return a bill within three days, it is a law, unless its return is prevented by adjournment; in which case it will be a law, unless he shall, within five days after the adjournment, file the bill, with his objections, in the office of the secretary of state, who shall lay the same before the general assembly at the next session, as if it had been returned by the governor. Bids may not be presented to the governor within two days previous to the adjournment.
Executive. The governor is elected for four years; and is eligible only four years in eight. Age, thirty years; citizenship, five years; state residence, five years. A lieutenant-governor.
A secretary of state, an auditor, and a treasurer, are elected for two years, and are eligible four years in six.
Judiciary. A supreme court, circuit courts, and such inferior courts as the general assembly may establish. Judges of the supreme court, not less than three nor more than five, one in each district, are elected by the electors of the state at large, for six years. Circuit courts consist of a judge for each judicial circuit, chosen by the electors thereof, for six years; and a prosecuting attorney for the circuit, for two years. Justices of the peace are elected for four years in the townships.
There are elected in each county, a clerk of the circuit court, an auditor, a recorder, a treasurer, a sheriff, a coroner, and a surveyor; the first three for four years; the others for two years. The sheriff and treasurer are eligible only four years in eight; the first three eight years in twelve.
Amendments must be agreed to by two successive legislatures, a majority of all the members of each house concurring, and ratified by the electors of the state.
Illinois.
Illinois was admitted into the union in 1818. The present constitution is dated August 31, 1847.
Legislature--styled general assembly. Representatives are elected for two years; must be twenty-five years of age; inhabitants of the state three years, and of the county or district, one year; and have paid a state or county tax. The number is never to exceed one hundred. The districts are not limited to a single representative. The senate consists of twenty-five members, elected in single districts, for four years, one-half every two years; must be thirty years of age; citizens of the United States; inhabitants of the state five years, of the county or district, one year; and have paid a county or state tax. Apportionments of senators and representatives are made after each census, taken in 1855, and every ten years thereafter.
Quorum, two-thirds. Bills passed against the veto by a majority of all the members elected to each house. If not returned within ten days, they are laws, unless their return is prevented by adjournment; in which case they must be returned on the first day of the next legislative session, or they will be laws.
Executive. The governor is elected for four years, and is eligible four years in eight. Age, thirty-five years; citizenship, fourteen years; state residence, ten years. A lieutenant-governor.
A secretary of state and an auditor of public accounts are elected for four years, and a treasurer for two years.
Judiciary. A supreme court of three judges, one to be chosen in each of the three grand divisions, for nine years, one every three years; the one oldest in commission to be chief-justice. The legislature may provide for their election by the whole state. Circuit judges are elected for six years, one in each of the nine judicial districts, the number of which may be increased, if necessary. A circuit court is to be held two or more terms annually in each county. A judge of the county court is elected in each county for four years, and has also probate jurisdiction.
Justices of the peace are elected in each county by districts for four years. Inferior local courts may be established in the cities by the legislature.
A state's attorney is elected in each judicial circuit, for four years; or in each county, if the legislature shall so direct. In each county a clerk of the circuit court is elected for four years and a sheriff for two years, who is eligible only once in four years; a supreme court clerk by the electors of each grand division.
Electors. White male citizens having resided in the state one year. A poll or capitation-tax of not less than fifty cents, nor more than a dollar, may, in case of necessity, be laid upon every voter under sixty years of age.
Amendments must be proposed by two-thirds majorities of all the members of one legislature, approved by majorities of all the members of the next legislature, and ratified by the electors at the next general election. Or, the legislature, by two-thirds majorities of all the members, may submit to the people the question of calling a convention; and if a majority of the electors voting for representatives shall vote for a convention, an act for calling one shall be passed.