The Constitution of the State of West Virginia was ratified in 1862, a year before the state joined the Union.  The Constitution expresses the rights of its citizens.  Moreover, it provides the framework for the organization of law and government.  The second and current Constitution of West Virginia dates from 1872.  A Preamble was added in the current constitution.  The current West Virginia Constitution consists of fourteen Articles and seventeen Amendments.  Article VI of the West Virginia Constitution uniquely provides for a mechanism to convert the state’s Senate elections to a proportional voting plan.  West Virginia does not have the statewide initiative process.  Therefore, Article XIV of the Constitution provides the procedures used by the state legislature to place constitutional amendments on the ballot.

Full text of West Virginia Constitution