1844 – The New Jersey State Constitution Adopted by Constitutional Convention

The 1844 Constitution of New Jersey marked a pivotal shift in the state’s governance. Replacing the original 1776 charter, it introduced significant democratic reforms, including the direct election of the governor, a clear separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and the expansion of voting rights to all white men regardless of property ownership. The document also reorganized the legislative structure into a bicameral body, established stronger checks and balances, and provided the judiciary with greater independence.

While progressive for its time, the constitution reflected the limitations of its era — voting remained restricted by gender and race. Nevertheless, it laid the foundation for a more modern and representative government in New Jersey, serving as the state’s guiding framework until it was replaced by the 1947 Constitution.

Article V

Executive

The executive power shall be vested in a Governor.
The Governor shall be elected by the legal voters of this State. The person having the highest number of votes shall be the Governor: but if two or more shall be equal and highest in votes, one of them shall be chosen Governor by the vote of a majority of the members of both houses in joint meeting. Contested elections for the office of Governor shall be determined in such manner as the legislature shall direct by law. When a governor is to be elected by the people, such election shall be held at the time when and at the places where the people shall respectively vote for members of the legislature.
The Governor shall hold his office for three years, to commence on the third Tuesday of January next ensuing the election for Governor by the people, and to end on the Monday preceding the third Tuesday of January, three years thereafter: and he shall be incapable of holding that office for three years next after his term of service shall have expired: and no appointment or nomination to office shall be made by the Governor during the last week of his said term.
The Governor shall be not less than thirty years of age, and shall have been for twenty years, at least, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of this State Seven years next before his election, unless he shall have been absent during that time on the public business of the United States or of this State.
The Governor shall at stated times, receive for his services a compensation which shall be neither increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected.
He shall be the Commander in Chief of all the military and naval forces of the State; he shall have power to convene the legislature whenever in his opinion public necessity requires it; he shall communicate by message to the legislature at the opening of each session, and at such other times as he may deem necessary, the condition of the State, and recommend such measures as he may deem expedient; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and grant, under the great seal of the State, commissions to all such officers as shall be required to be commissioned.
Every bill which shall have passed both houses shall be presented to the Governor: if he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his objections, to the house in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it; if, after such reconsideration, a majority of the whole number of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved of by a majority of the whole number of that house, it shall become a law; but, in neither house shall the vote be taken on the same day on which the bill shall be returned to it: and in all such cases, the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the Governor, within five days (Sunday excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the legislature by their adjournment, prevent its return in which case it shall not be a law.
No member of Congress, or person holding an office under the United States, or this State, shall exercise the office of Governor; and in case the Governor, or person administering the Government shall accept any office under the United States or this State, his office of Governor shall thereupon be vacant.
The Governor, or person administering the government, shall have power to suspend the collection of fines and forfeitures, and to grant reprieves, to extend until the expiration of a time not exceeding ninety days after conviction; but this power shall not extend to cases of impeachment.
The Governor, or person administering the government, the chancellor, and the six Judges of the Court of Errors and Appeals, or a major part of them, of whom the Governor, or person administering the government, shall be one, may remit fines and forfeitures, and grant pardons, after conviction, in all cases except impeachment.
The Governor and all other civil officers under this State shall be liable to impeachment for misdemeanor in office during their continuance in office and for two years thereafter.
In case of the death, resignation, or removal from office of the Governor, the powers, duties, and emoluments of the office, shall devolve upon the President of the Senate, and in case of his death, resignation or removal, then upon the Speaker of the House of Assembly, for the time being until another Governor shall be elected and qualified; but in such case another Governor shall be chosen at the next election for member of the Legislature, unless such death, resignation or removal, shall occur within thirty days immediately preceding such next election, in which case a Governor shall be chosen at the second succeeding election for members of the legislature. When a vacancy happens, during the recess of the legislature in any office which is to be filled by the Governor and Senate, or by the Legislature in joint meeting, the Governor shall fill such vacancy and the commission shall expire at the end of the next session of the Legislature, unless a successor shall be sooner appointed: when a vacancy happens in the office of Clerk or Surrogate of any County, the Governor shall fill such vacancy, and the Commission shall expire when a successor is elected and qualified.
In case of the impeachment of the Governor, his absence from the State or inability to discharge the duties of his office, the powers, duties and immoluments of the office shall devolve upon the President of the Senate; and in case of his death, resignation or removal, then upon the Speaker of the house of Assembly for the time being, until the Governor absent, or impeached shall return or be acquitted, or until the disqualification or inability shall cease, or until a new Governor be elected and qualified.
In case of a vacancy in the office of Governor from any other cause than those herein enumerated, or in case of the death of the Governor Elect before he is qualified into office, the powers, duties and emoluments of the office shall devolve upon the President of the Senate, or Speaker of the House of Assembly, as above provided for, until a new Governor be elected and qualified.