the lecompton constitution (1857) was one of four proposed constitutions for the state of kansas. it was written by pro-slavery people. it included parts to allow slavery in the state. it also had parts to not include free blacks from its bill of rights. it was defeated on january 4, 1858 by a majority of voters in the kansas territory. the rejection of the lecompton constitution, and the admission of kansas to the union as a free state, showed the unusual and fraudulent voting practices. these practices had been used in earlier efforts by bushwhackers and border ruffians to create a state constitution in kansas that allowed slavery.