The Constitution of the State of Nevada is the organic law of the state of Nevada , and the basis for Nevada's statehood as one of the United States .
62-515: Nevada's first constitutional convention was in 1863. The Nevada Constitution was created in 1864 at a convention on July 4 in Carson City . The convention adjourned on July 28, was approved by public vote on the first Wednesday in September, and became effective on October 31, when on that date President Abraham Lincoln declared Nevada to be a state. Nevada's entry into full statehood in
124-589: A consolidated city-county, a city and a county were merged into a unified jurisdiction in which the county at least nominally exists to this day, whereas an independent city was legally separated from any county or merged with a county that simultaneously ceased to exist even in name. Of the 41 independent U.S. cities, 38 are in Virginia , whose state constitution makes them a special case. The three independent cities outside Virginia are Baltimore, Maryland ; St. Louis, Missouri ; and Carson City, Nevada . Baltimore
186-557: A constitutional convention. The second prefix provision declares certain mandates applicable to the state, including a prohibition on slavery, religious freedom, and declaring the public lands to be property of the United States. Later amendments changed this provision. The preamble reads: "We the people of the State of Nevada Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom in order to secure its blessings, insure domestic tranquility, and form
248-455: A county, even though geographically they may be completely surrounded by one. An independent city in Virginia may serve as the county seat of an adjacent county, even though the city by definition is not part of that county. Some other Virginia municipalities, even though they may be more populous than some existing independent cities, are incorporated towns . These towns always form part of
310-572: A county. Incorporated towns have limited powers, varying by each charter. They typically share many aspects such as courts and public school divisions with the county they are within. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, there are two classes of city. The primary difference relates to the court system. A first-class city (e.g., Richmond) has its own District Court and also its own Circuit Court . A second-class city (e.g. Norton or Emporia) has its own District Courts, but not its own Circuit Court. As
372-521: A downtown master plan, specifying no building within 500 feet (150 metres) of the capitol would surpass it in height. This plan effectively prohibited future high-rise development in the center of downtown. The Ormsby House is the tallest building in downtown Carson City, at a height of 117 feet (36 m). The structure was completed in 1972. Most of the city proper resides in the Eagle Valley . The Carson River flows from Douglas County through
434-463: A female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97. The city's age distribution was: 23.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
496-555: A marriage, and no person has the right to make any claim against a religious organization or member of the clergy for such a refusal. 3. All legally valid marriages must be treated equally under the law." (Sources: Recognition of same-sex unions in Nevada and LGBT rights in Nevada ) Section 1 of article 19 specifies how the Assembly or Senate may propose amendments to the constitution. A majority of all members of both houses must pass
558-614: A more perfect Government, do establish this Constitution." The articles of the Nevada Constitution are: The suffix provision provides for the election of delegates to the constitutional convention. Ownership of the public domain by the United States has become controversial in recent years, the Sagebrush Rebellion and the Bundy standoff are examples of certain groups within the State desire to locally manage
620-488: A passenger steamboat liner, then journeying uphill past Sacramento to Nevada. As such, Carson City bested Virginia City and American Flat. Curry loaned the Warm Springs Hotel to the territorial Legislature as a temporary meeting hall. The Legislature named Carson City to be the county seat of Ormsby County and also selected the hotel as the territorial prison, with Curry serving as its first warden. Today,
682-437: A proposed spent nuclear fuel storage facility at Yucca Mountain prohibitively expensive (by raising property tax rates to the maximum allowed) or to allow the state to collect the potential federal payments of property taxes on the facility, the state government in 1987 carved Yucca Mountain out of Nye County and created a new county with no residents out of the area surrounding Yucca called Bullfrog County . Carson City became
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#1732772862379744-676: A referendum approved merging the city and the county, the state legislature issued a revised city charter that merged them into the Consolidated Municipality of Carson City . With the consolidation, the city limits extend west across the Sierra Nevada to the California - Nevada state line in the middle of Lake Tahoe . Like other independent cities in the United States, it is treated as a county-equivalent for census purposes. The Washoe people have inhabited
806-417: A second-class city, City of Fairfax shares a Circuit Court with Fairfax County , while Falls Church shares a Circuit Court with adjacent Arlington County. In Virginia, a District Court is not a court of record , so all cases are heard by a judge; all jury trials are heard in a Circuit Court. Three older Virginia counties, whose origins go back to the original eight shires of Virginia formed in 1634 in
868-619: A short ceremony attended by the governor during which receiving schools are assigned a 10-foot banner. Western Nevada College (WNC) is a regionally accredited, two-year and four-year institution which is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education . The college offers many programs including education, arts and science. Carson City has a public library , the Carson City Library. Nation: States: Territories: Independent city (United States) In
930-481: A stopover for California -bound immigrants, but developed into a city with the Comstock Lode , a silver strike in the mountains to the northeast. The city has served as Nevada's capital since statehood in 1864; for much of its history it was a hub for the Virginia and Truckee Railroad , although the tracks were removed in 1950. Before 1969, Carson City was the county seat of Ormsby County . That year, after
992-588: A thousand Chinese people, "one for every five Caucasians", lived in Carson City. Carson City's population and transportation traffic decreased when the Central Pacific Railroad built a branch line through Donner Pass to connect with the Carson and Colorado Railroad . The new branch also bypassed the Virginia & Truckee line, and ran too far to the north to benefit Carson City. The city
1054-543: A wall inside the post. As the area was part of the larger Utah Territory (1850-1896), it was governed from the territorial (and later state) capital of Salt Lake City on the eastern shore of the Great Salt Lake , where the territorial government was headquartered there several hundred miles further east with Mormon ( The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ) patriarch of Brigham Young (1801-1877), as first Governor of Utah . Early settlers bristled at
1116-592: A wide variety of features including picnic tables, beaches, restrooms, fishing, softball, basketball hoops, ponds, tennis, and volleyball. The largest park is Mills Park, which has a total land area of 51 acres (0.21 km ) and includes the 2 ft ( 610 mm ) narrow-gauge Carson & Mills Park Railroad. While there are no ski slopes within Carson City, the city is near the Heavenly Mountain Resort , Diamond Peak and Mount Rose Ski Tahoe skiing areas. Carson City has served as one of
1178-529: Is generally considered a Republican stronghold, often voting for Republicans by wide margins. In 2004, George W. Bush defeated John Kerry 57–40%. In 2008, however, Barack Obama became the first Democrat since 1964 to win Ormsby County/Carson City, defeating John McCain 49–48%, by 204 votes, a margin of under 1%. Carson City, being the state capital, has seen many political protests and demonstrations. In an attempt to either make
1240-465: Is on Saliman Road. The district sponsors Carson Montessori School, a public charter school serving grades K-6. Students residing in any Nevada county may enroll. Carson Montessori School is the only school in district operating with a balanced budget. In 2019 Carson Montessori School received the Governor's STEM Schools Designation, an official recognition given to 25 schools statewide which causes
1302-435: Is one of two state capitals that border another state, the other being Trenton, New Jersey . Carson City features a cold semi-arid climate (Koppen: BSk ) with cold winters and hot summers. The city is in a high desert river valley approximately 4,802 feet (1,464 m) above sea level. There are four fairly distinct seasons. Winters see typically light to moderate snowfall, with an average of 14.0 inches (0.36 m), with
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#17327728623791364-487: Is still served by both Greyhound and Amtrak, as well as Eastern Sierra Transit Authority service from Lone Pine to Reno. Carson City is also served by the Carson Airport , which is a regional airport in the northern part of the city. Reno–Tahoe International Airport , which is 28 miles (45 km) away, handles domestic commercial flights. The Carson City School District , the sole public school district of
1426-528: Is the most populous independent city in the United States. In the Commonwealth of Virginia , all municipalities incorporated as "cities" have been "independent cities", also called "free cities", since 1871, when a revised state constitution took effect following the American Civil War and the creation of West Virginia . Virginia's thirty-eight independent cities are not politically part of
1488-418: Is virtually no ground public transportation to other destinations. Passenger trains have not served Carson City since 1950, when the Virginia and Truckee Railroad was shut down. Greyhound Lines stopped their bus services to the town in 2006 and Amtrak discontinued their connecting thruway bus to Sacramento, California , in 2008. There is now only a limited Monday – Friday RTC bus service, to Reno which
1550-637: The Colony of Virginia , have or had the word city in their names; politically, however, they are counties. The independent cities were formed to centralize trading and legal matters as the older system of merchant ships cruising from plantation to plantation was inefficient. The colonial capital of Williamsburg was created for this reason, being a port on the James River. Two of these counties are Charles City County and James City County , whose names originated with earlier "incorporations" created in 1619 by
1612-519: The Virginia Company as Charles Cittie and James Cittie . Additionally, Elizabeth City County , which was originally part of the older Elizabeth Cittie , became extinct in 1952 when it was consolidated politically by mutual consent with the small City of Hampton, its county seat, and the Town of Phoebus . These merged entities became the current independent city of Hampton, Virginia , one of
1674-483: The Congress of the United States. The amendment is specified to take effect "on the date Congress consents to amendment or a legal determination is made that such consent is not necessary". “1. The State of Nevada and its political subdivisions shall recognize marriages and issue marriage licenses to couples regardless of gender. 2. Religious organizations and members of the clergy have the right to refuse to solemnize
1736-545: The Consolidated Municipality of Carson City. With this consolidation, Carson City absorbed former town sites such as Empire City , which had grown up in the 1860s as a milling center along the Carson River and current U.S. Route 50 . Carson City could now advertise itself as one of America's largest state capitals with its 146 square miles (380 km ) of city limits. In 1991, the city adopted
1798-464: The U.S. state of Nevada . As of the 2020 census , the population was 58,639, making it the 6th most populous city in the state. The majority of the city's population lives in Eagle Valley , on the eastern edge of the Carson Range , a branch of the Sierra Nevada , about 30 miles (50 km) south of Reno . The city is named after the mountain man Kit Carson (1809-1868). The town began as
1860-638: The United States was expedited. Union sympathizers were so eager to gain statehood for Nevada that they rushed to send the entire state constitution by telegraph to the United States Congress before the presidential election and they did not believe that sending it by train would guarantee that it would arrive on time. The constitution was sent October 26–27, 1864, just two weeks before the election on November 7, 1864 . The transmission took two days; it consisted of 16,543 words and cost $ 4,303.27 ($ 62,295.77 adjusted for 2012) to send. It was, at
1922-479: The United States, an independent city is a city that is not in the territory of any county or counties and is considered a primary administrative division of its state. Independent cities are classified by the United States Census Bureau as " county equivalents " and may also have similar governmental powers to a consolidated city-county or a unitary authority . However, in the case of
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1984-407: The United States, residing without the said state, shall never be taxed higher than the land belonging to the residents thereof; and that no taxes shall be imposed by said state on lands or property therein belonging to, or which may hereafter be purchased by, the United States, unless otherwise provided by the congress of the United States. After an amendment ratified in the general election of 1996,
2046-406: The United States. Carson City is the smallest of the United States' 366 metropolitan statistical areas . As of the 2010 census, there were 55,274 people, 20,171 households, and 13,252 families residing in the city. The population density was 366 people per square mile (141 people/km ). There were 21,283 housing units at an average density of 148 per square mile (57/km ). The racial makeup of
2108-458: The Warm Springs Hotel a mile to the east of the town center. When new territorial governor James W. Nye (1815-1876, served 1861-1864), traveled east to Nevada, he chose Carson City as the territorial capital instead of earlier Genoa , which had functioned temporarily as such for the past few years. Influenced by Carson City lawyer William M. Stewart (1827-1909), who escorted him from the port of San Francisco, California where he arrived onboard
2170-542: The area Washoe, in reference to the indigenous people. By 1851, the Eagle Station ranch along the Carson River was a trading post and stop-over for westbound travelers and wagons on the California Trail 's Carson Branch , which ran through Eagle Valley . The valley and trading post received their name from a bald eagle that was hunted and killed by one of the early settlers and was featured pinned on
2232-420: The city was 81.1% White, 1.9% Black or African American , 2.4% Native American , 2.1% Asian , 0.2% Pacific Islander , 9.4% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. 21% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. As of the 2000 census, there were 20,171 households, out of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 11.0% had
2294-497: The city, operates ten schools there. The six elementary schools are Bordewich-Bray Elementary School, Empire Elementary School, Fremont Elementary School, Fritsch Elementary School, Mark Twain Elementary School, and Al Seeliger Elementary School. The two middle schools are Carson Middle School and Eagle Valley Middle School. Carson High School and the alternative Pioneer High School serve high school students. Carson High
2356-613: The city: Nevada State Route 28 , U.S. Route 395 , U.S. Route 50 , and Interstate 580 , its only freeway. Phase 1 of the Carson City Freeway Project from US 395, just north of the city, to US 50 was completed in February 2006, and Phase 2A, extending from Rt. 50 to Fairview Drive, was officially opened on September 24, 2009. Phase 2B, Fairview Drive to Rt. 50, was completed in August 2017. Prior to 2012, Carson City
2418-436: The clause reads: Third. That the people inhabiting said territory do agree and declare, that lands belonging to citizens of the United States, residing without the said state, shall never be taxed higher than the land belonging to the residents thereof; and that no taxes shall be imposed by said state on lands or property therein belonging to, or which may hereafter be purchased by, the United States, unless otherwise provided by
2480-406: The control by Mormon-influenced officials and desired the creation of the provisional Nevada Territory with Isaac Roop (1822-1869, served 1859-1861), as provisional Governor. A vigilante group of influential settlers, headed by Abraham Curry (1815-1873), sought a site for a capital city for the envisioned future separate territory. In 1858, Abraham Curry bought Eagle Station and the settlement
2542-483: The county seat of Bullfrog County, even though it is not in Bullfrog County and is more than 100 miles (160 km) from Yucca Mountain. A state judge found the process unconstitutional in 1989, and Bullfrog County's territory was retroceded to Nye County. Carson City has never hosted any professional team sports. However, a variety of sports are offered at parks and recreation. Many neighborhood parks offer
Constitution of Nevada - Misplaced Pages Continue
2604-401: The four supervisors must reside in respective wards, numbered 1 through 4. The mayor and supervisors serve four year terms. Elections are staggered so the mayor and the supervisors from Wards 2 and Ward 4 are elected in presidential election years, and the supervisors from Wards 1 and 3 are elected in the even-numbered years in between (i.e., the same year as gubernatorial elections). The city
2666-521: The hottest temperature 107 °F (41.7 °C) on July 19, 1931, and the highest minimum 75 °F (23.9 °C) on August 1, 2022. There are 125 mornings with lows below freezing, but afternoon maxima top 50 °F or 10 °C on all but 52 days, and top freezing on all but five. Temperatures below 0 °F or −17.8 °C are very rare, occurring about twice per winter and frequently not occurring at all. The coldest temperature in Carson City has been −27 °F or −32.8 °C on January 21, 1937,
2728-473: The late 1940s, discussions began about merging Ormsby County and Carson City. By this time, the county was little more than Carson City and a few hamlets to the west. By the 1960 census, all but 2,900 of the county's residents lived in Carson City. However, the effort did not pay off until 1966, when a statewide referendum approved the merger. The required constitutional amendment was passed in 1968. On April 1, 1969, Ormsby County and Carson City officially merged as
2790-437: The lowest maximum 5 °F or −15 °C on December 12, 1932, and December 22, 1990, and the coldest month January 1949 with a mean temperature of 12.6 °F (−10.8 °C), although January 1937 at 14.9 °F (−9.5 °C) is the only other month below 21 °F or −6.1 °C. The average temperature in Carson City increased by 4.1 °F (2.3 °C) between 1984 and 2014, a greater change than in any other city in
2852-451: The most snowfall 34.5 inches or 0.88 metres in March 1952. The most precipitation in one day has been 3.12 inches or 79.2 millimetres on November 19 of 1950. There are 39.5 afternoons of 90 °F (32.2 °C)+ highs annually, with 100 °F (37.8 °C)+ temperatures occurring 1.2 afternoons per year. The hottest month has been July 2021 with an average of 77.6 °F (25.3 °C),
2914-599: The most snowfall being 82.1 inches (2.1 m) from July 1951 to June 1952 and the least 3.1 inches (0.079 m) from July 2002 to June 2003. Most precipitation occurs in winter and spring, with summer and fall being fairly dry, drier than neighboring California. The wettest “rain year” was from July 1937 to June 1938 with 19.36 inches (491.7 mm) and the driest from July 1971 to June 1972 with 3.48 inches (88.4 mm). The most precipitation in one month occurred in December 1955 when 10.39 inches or 263.9 millimetres fell and
2976-404: The population over the age of five. In total, 17.7% (9,174) of Carson City's population age 5 and older spoke a first language other than English. Ormsby County consolidated with Carson City in 1969, and the county simultaneously dissolved. The city is now governed by a five-member board of supervisors, consisting of a mayor and four supervisors. All members are elected at-large , but each of
3038-407: The poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.8% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. As of 2010, 82.3% (42,697) of Carson City residents age 5 and older spoke English at home as a first language , while 14.1% (7,325) spoke Spanish , 0.6% (318) French , and numerous Indo-Aryan languages were spoken as a main language by 0.5% (261) of
3100-428: The property is still part of the state prison. When Nevada became the 36th state in 1864 during the American Civil War (1861-1865), Carson City was confirmed as Nevada's permanent state capital . Carson City's development was no longer dependent on the mining industry and instead became a thriving commercial center. The Virginia and Truckee Railroad was built between Virginia City and Carson City . A log flume
3162-542: The proposed amendment. The proposed amendment must then pass the next consecutive biennial session. If it passes, the proposed amendment is sent to the people for vote. If the majority of the registered votes pass the amendment, the constitution is amended/changed. Sections 2 and 3 of article 19 defines how citizen initiatives for constitutional amendments can be approved. In short, ballot initiatives must be approved in two general elections. An equal rights amendment inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression
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#17327728623793224-435: The public lands within their borders. The clause disclaiming any right to unappropriated lands originally stated: Third. That the people inhabiting said territory do agree and declare, that they forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated public lands lying within said territory, and that the same shall be and remain at the sole and entire disposition of the United States; and that lands belonging to citizens of
3286-606: The southwestern edge of both the valley and Carson City. Since the consolidation, the city limits today include several small populated areas outside of this valley. Today the city limits include several peaks in the Sierra Nevada , small portions of both the Virginia Range and the Pine Nut Mountains and portions of Marlette Lake and Lake Tahoe . The highest elevation in city limits is Snow Valley Peak at an elevation of 9,214 feet (2,808 m). Carson City
3348-518: The state's centers for politics and business. Every state governor since Denver S. Dickerson has resided in the Governor's Mansion in Carson City. The following personalities took up residence in Carson City at some point in their lives. The following is a list of notable employers in Carson City from the fourth quarter of 2012: 1,000–1,499 employees 500–999 employees 200–499 employees 100–199 employees There are four highways in
3410-467: The time, the longest telegraph transmission ever made, a record it held for seventeen years, until a copy of the 118,000-word English Revised Version of the New Testament was sent by telegraph on May 22, 1881. The document has two prefix provisions; a preamble; 19 articles (one having been repealed); and a suffix provision. The first prefix provision defines the requirement that the state have
3472-456: The valley and surrounding areas for about 6,000 years. The first European Americans to arrive in what is now known as Eagle Valley were John C. Frémont and his exploration party in January 1843. Fremont named the river flowing through the valley Carson River in honor of Kit Carson ,(1809-1868), the mountain man , explorer and scout he had hired for his expedition. Later, settlers named
3534-442: Was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.2 males. Data from the 2000 census indicates the median income for a household in the city was $ 41,809, and the median income for a family was $ 49,570. Males had a median income of $ 35,296 versus $ 27,418 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 20,943. 10.0% of the population and 6.9% of families were below
3596-570: Was also built from the Sierra Nevada mountains range into Carson City. The current Nevada State Capitol building was constructed from 1869 to 1871. The United States Mint also operated its branch of the Carson City Mint between the years of 1870 and 1893, which struck gold and silver coins of United States currency . People came from China during that time, many to work on the transcontinental railroad being constructed. Some of them owned businesses and taught school. By 1880, almost
3658-463: Was approved by 58% of Nevada voters in the November 2022 general election, making Nevada the only US state - and one of the few jurisdictions in the world - to include “sexual orientation and gender identity or expression” in its foundational document. Carson City, Nevada Carson City , officially the Consolidated Municipality of Carson City , is an independent city and the capital of
3720-468: Was one of only five state capitals not directly served by an interstate highway; the city lost this distinction when I-580 was extended into the city limits. Carson City's first modern bus system, Jump Around Carson , or JAC, opened to the public in October 2005. JAC uses a smaller urban bus ideal for Carson City. Tahoe Transportation District connects Gardnerville with Carson City. However, there
3782-739: Was slightly revitalized with the mining booms in nearby Tonopah and Goldfield . The United States federal building (now renamed the Paul Laxalt Building) was completed in 1890 as was the Stewart Indian School . Even these developments could not prevent its population from dropping to just over 1,500 people by 1930. Carson City resigned itself to small city status, advertising itself as "America's smallest capital". The city slowly grew after World War II (1939/1941-1945); by 1960, it had reached its former 1880 mining boom-town era population size of 80 years before. As early as
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#17327728623793844-416: Was thereafter renamed Carson City. Curry and several other partners had Eagle Valley surveyed for development. Curry decided Carson City would someday serve as the capital city and left a 10-acre (40,000 m ) plot in the center of town for a capitol building. After gold and silver ore were discovered in 1859 on the nearby newly-named Comstock Lode , Carson City's population began to grow. Curry built
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