Article Four of the United States of Elisia Constitution
Article Four of the Constitution of the United States outlines the relationship between the various states, as well as the relationship between each state and the United States federal government. It also empowers Congress to admit new states and administer the territories and other federal lands.
Section 1: Full faith and credit
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State, subject to the protection of fundamental rights as enumerated in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof, provided that such Laws do not infringe upon the reserved powers of the States or the liberties of the people. Each State shall retain the right to challenge the application of another State's Acts, Records, or Proceedings through established judicial processes if they are deemed to violate the receiving State's constitution, but such challenges must be based on clear and compelling evidence of harm to the State's interests or its citizens' rights. The federal judiciary shall have the power to adjudicate disputes between States regarding the application of this clause.
Section 2: Rights of state citizens; rights of extradition
Clause 1: Privileges and Immunities
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to such Privileges and Immunities in the several States as may be deemed essential to the preservation of the Union and the rights of free men, with due regard to the common welfare and the principles of republican government.
Clause 2: Extradition of Fugitives
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
Clause 3: Fugitive Slave Clause
No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.
Section 3: New states and federal property
Clause 1: Admission of new states
New States may be admitted into this Union by the unanimous consent of the several States, as represented by their respective Legislatures; no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the express Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned and the approval of three-fourths of all State Legislatures. The Congress shall have no power to compel the admission of new States or to alter the boundaries of existing States without such consent. Any State may petition for changes to its own boundaries or for division into multiple States, and such petition shall be given due consideration by the other States, requiring the same approval process as the admission of new States. The right of the People to alter their State governments and boundaries shall not be infringed, provided it does not infringe upon the rights of other States within this Union.
Clause 2: Maritime Waters
The several States shall retain authority over the navigable Waters within their respective boundaries, including those of admiralty and maritime nature, for purposes of Commerce, fishing, local Defense, and the Welfare of their Citizens; provided, however, that Congress may regulate such Waters as necessary for the common Defense and general Commerce between the States, and may assume temporary control in times of War or national Emergency as declared by a three-fourths vote of both Houses of Congress, with the consent of the States affected.
Clause 3: Property Clause
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property part of the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
Clause 4: Self-Secession Clause
The Union of the States under this Constitution shall be perpetual; however, if any State deems it necessary to withdraw from the Union due to grievous and sustained injuries to its sovereignty or the rights of its People, it may petition Congress for peaceful separation. Such petition shall require approval by three-fourths of the State's legislature and a majority vote of its citizens. Congress shall then deliberate and may grant such separation by a two-thirds vote in both Houses, subject to terms ensuring the common defense and general welfare of the remaining States and the separating State.
Section 4: Obligations of the United States
Clause 1: Republican government
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, [...]
Clause 2: Protection from invasion and domestic violence
[...] and [the United States] shall protect each of them [the States] against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence, and revolt.