Governing a New Nation Government by States CC independence 1776 ? each o? 11 states began writing constitutions Rhode Island & Connecticut cont. w/ colonial charters ? removed references 2 Brit king Writing State Constitutions state legislatures elected by ppl held powa governor ? state?s exec. legislatures approve appointing o? governors some states still barred AAs from voting even free ones NJ allowed some women 2 vote until 1807 no voting in almost any other state u had 2 b white male 21 yrs or older & own some property 2 vote Protecting Rights Virginia hipster 4 Bill of Rights in its constitution last clause guaranteed freedom o? religion NY did same Mass. allowed freedom o? religion but retained official church