Ratification Dates and Votes

Each of the original thirteen states in the United States was invited to
ratify the Constitution created in
Philadelphia in 1787. The Constitution specified that nine ratifications would be sufficient
to consider the Constitution accepted.

Some states ratified quickly, others had to hold several conventions to
accept the Constitution — though all eventually did. This page lists the
votes of each state’s conventions.

September 17, 1787: The Constitutional Convention adjourns.

September 28, 1787: The Congress agrees to send the Constitution to the
states for debate and ratification.

December 7, 1787: Delaware ratifies. Vote: 30
for, 0 against.

December 12, 1787: Pennsylvania ratifies. Vote:
46 for, 23 against.

December 18, 1787: New Jersey ratifies. Vote: 38
for, 0 against.

January 2, 1788: Georgia ratifies. Vote: 26 for,
0 against.

January 9, 1788: Connecticut ratifies. Vote: 128
for, 40 against.

February 6, 1788: Massachusetts ratifies. Vote:
187 for, 168 against.

March 24, 1788: Rhode Island popular referendum rejects. Vote: 237 for,
2708 against.

April 28, 1788: Maryland ratifies. Vote: 63 for,
11 against.

May 23, 1788: South Carolina ratifies. Vote: 149
for, 73 against.

June 21, 1788: New Hampshire ratifies. Vote: 57
for, 47 against. Minimum requirement for ratification met.

June 25, 1788: Virginia ratifies. Vote: 89 for,
79 against.

July 26, 1788: New York ratifies. Vote: 30 for,
27 against.

August 2, 1788: North Carolina convention adjourns without ratifying by a
vote of 185 in favor of adjournment, 84 opposed.

November 21, 1789: North Carolina ratifies. Vote:
194 for, 77 against.

May 29, 1790: Rhode Island ratifies. Vote: 34
for, 32 against.