Did you ever want to draft a state constitutional amendment? Here is how it's done:

________________________________________________________________ __________

                                                     Sponsor:

State of Delaware

House of Representatives

145^th General Assembly

House Bill No___

          AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

          TO EXPICITLY DEFINE THE OATH OF OFFICE AS LEGALLY AND MORALLY  

          BINDING.

1        The Constitution of the State of Delaware ( with two-thirds of the members of both

2        houses concurring in two successive sessions of the General Assembly ) is hereby

3                amended by adding a new section to Article XIV as follows:

4                “§ 2 Oath of office is formally binding.

5                a)    The Oath of Office shall be legally and morally binding upon all who swear it.

6                 Willful or negligent violation shall be grounds for impeachment and dismissal.

7                b)     The General Assembly shall enforce this provision through appropriate legislation

8                and procedure.

Synopsis:

          This bill amends Article XIV of the Delaware Constitution, by formally making the Oath 

          of Office legally and morally binding .

            IP

Page 1 of 1

___________________________________________________________ 

Constitutions are the basic legal framework of governments. Ergo, they should be written consisely in the greater public interest. Most questions can be dealt with on the statutory levels but some need greater legal protection and enumeration. The Delaware Constitution  does not explicitly state whether the Oath of Office is legally binding, but it may be implied. So, section 2 of Article XIV was born. I'm not holding my breath, waiting for a response from the General Assembly, but any politician who does not support this proposed amendment should not be elected.

If you are interested in adapting the question to your state's constitution, please let me know.

Wolf