The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 has been described as the most democratic in America and was authored primarily by George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin. Some highlights include:

  • Voting franchise for all tax paying free men.
  • A unicameral legislature with members elected to one-year terms.
  • A twelve-member Supreme Executive Council to administer the government.
  • A President elected by the Assembly and Council together
  • A Council of Censors (elected every seven years) to conduct a one year long evaluation of the activities. They could "censure" actions by the government deemed to have violated the constitution.

By 1790, however, it would be replaced by a new constitution.

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