Well, you gotta understand how the Texas Constitution works, though. Part of what makes this part so funny is that it's so out of character with most of the document. The Texas Constitution is exceedingly long (something like 93,000 words as compared to the U.S. Constitution's 7,000... or around abouts) not to limit the people, but to limit the government. Because our Constitution basically says that the State can only utilize powers that are enumerated within the Constitution, each power is specifically outlined down to its limititations. The citizens' rights are also outlined specifically.
The Texas Constitution that we're currently under has been in place since we rejoined the Union after the Civil War. Much like the U.S. Constitution, several attempts have been made to rewrite it or revise it, but it's very difficult to do because of the requirements involved. So... we have a buttload of amendments. lol
I think it's cool, though. It's like a view back into the past to see what they thought was important, and this apparently needed mentioning in their minds. And you gotta remember that it wasn't until... what? The 1970's that the 26th Amendment was ratified into the Constitution that nationally empowered 18-yr-olds with their full rights to vote. So that part about being 21 isn't so crazy. But the particular Article also mentions, for instance, that soldiers in the U.S. Army & Navy are not allowed to vote, either; you gotta wonder what they were thinking -- and I think I have an idea, considering what had just happened.
So we do have some stupid stuff in our Constitution, but it's just far easier to amend or repeal - or just leave it be after the U.S. Constitution trumps it. :) Most of the Texas Constitution is excellent, though; we wouldn't have a balanced budget or have created more jobs than the other 49 states combined without its strict limitations!
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The Texas Constitution that we're currently under has been in place since we rejoined the Union after the Civil War. Much like the U.S. Constitution, several attempts have been made to rewrite it or revise it, but it's very difficult to do because of the requirements involved. So... we have a buttload of amendments. lol
I think it's cool, though. It's like a view back into the past to see what they thought was important, and this apparently needed mentioning in their minds. And you gotta remember that it wasn't until... what? The 1970's that the 26th Amendment was ratified into the Constitution that nationally empowered 18-yr-olds with their full rights to vote. So that part about being 21 isn't so crazy. But the particular Article also mentions, for instance, that soldiers in the U.S. Army & Navy are not allowed to vote, either; you gotta wonder what they were thinking -- and I think I have an idea, considering what had just happened.
So we do have some stupid stuff in our Constitution, but it's just far easier to amend or repeal - or just leave it be after the U.S. Constitution trumps it. :) Most of the Texas Constitution is excellent, though; we wouldn't have a balanced budget or have created more jobs than the other 49 states combined without its strict limitations!