As of 2022, nine U.S. states included constitutional provisions permitting involuntary servitude, but not slavery, as a criminal punishment. Ten other states had constitutions that included provisions prohibiting enslavement and involuntary servitude but with an exception for criminal punishments. These constitutional provisions were added to state constitutions, in their original forms, from the 1850s to the 1890s. One state (Vermont) had a constitutional provision permitting involuntary servitude to pay a debt, damage, fine, or cost.
The five states and the corresponding amendments appearing on ballots for the November 8th 2022 midterm election:
Most recently in 2020, Utah and Nebraska voters decided to remove language from their respective constitutions that allowed the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as criminal punishments. Nebraska Amendment 1 was approved by a margin of 68.23% to 31.77%. Utah Constitutional Amendment C was approved by a margin of 80.48% to 19.52%.
To view the list of states that have ratified provisions addressing involuntary servitude in state constitutions since 2018, read this PDF document compiled by the Alabama Legislative Services Agency here (Note - this is a 2021 document and was not updated to include the above 5 proposed amendments).
We are a nonprofit organization comprised of concerned California community members dedicated to eliminating the felony murder rule. Tax ID #84-3224998