Question 1

The United States Constitution has been amended thirty-five times.

Accepted Answer

The United States Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times.

Question 2

Nebraska is one of four states that has a unicameral state legislature.

Accepted Answer

Nebraska is the only state in the United States with a unicameral legislature; all other states have bicameral legislatures.

Question 3

Residents of Washington, D.C. pay federal income tax but not Social Security Tax.

Accepted Answer

Residents of Washington, D.C. pay both federal income tax and Social Security Tax, just like residents of the 50 states.

Question 4

Florida is the only state where a constitutional commission sends amendment proposals directly to the voters.

Accepted Answer

Florida has a unique process where the Constitution Revision Commission, which meets every 20 years, can propose amendments directly to voters without going through the legislature.

Question 5

The most common way that state constitutions are revised is through judicial interpretation.

Accepted Answer

The most common way that state constitutions are revised is through amendments that are proposed either by the legislature or through citizen initiatives, and then approved by voters. Judicial interpretation can influence the application of the constitution but does not revise its text.

Question 6

Very few states allow constitutional amendments to be made using direct citizen initiatives.

Accepted Answer

Many states in the United States allow constitutional amendments to be proposed and passed through direct citizen initiatives, where citizens can gather signatures to put an amendment on the ballot for a public vote.

Question 7

Judicial review is the power of the U.S. Supreme Court or a state supreme court to declare unconstitutional actions of the executive and legislative branches as well as decisions of lower courts.

Accepted Answer

Judicial review is the process by which the judiciary can declare the actions of the other branches of government (executive and legislative) and lower courts as unconstitutional, ensuring that all laws and governmental actions comply with the Constitution. This power was established in the landmark case Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Question 8

Should Washington, D.C. become the 51st state? Take a position; and in doing so, discuss the background issues and the trade-offs involved in its admission as a state.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Should Washington, D.C. become the 51st state?...

Question 9

The legislative proposal is used more often than the initiative in amending state constitutions.

Accepted Answer

The legislative proposal is the most common method for amending state constitutions, as it involves the state legislature proposing amendments which are then typically approved by a vote of the people. The initiative process, where citizens propose amendments directly, is used less frequently and is not available in all states.

Question 10

Constitutions are essentially political documents. Discuss the informal and formal methods for making constitutional changes to a state's constitution.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Constitutions are essentially political documents. Discuss the...

Question 11

Describe four major elements of the National Municipal League's Model State Constitution. Discuss the perceived problem with existing state constitutions that each element attempted to overcome? In conclusion, address the issue of how effective these elements are in addressing the problem and speculate on any additional elements that might be needed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe four major elements of the National...

Question 12

Explain how judicial interpretation impacts the policies of state and local governments.

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

Describe the evolution of state constitutions from colonial times through the current era. Discuss the American tradition of written constitutions and how state constitutions were originally shaped by the colonial experience. Discuss the pressures to create a long constitution and the advantages and disadvantages of such a constitution. Include the major developments and trends that have occurred over the past 200 years.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the evolution of state constitutions from...

Question 14

Constitutions are living documents that evolve over time and bear the temporal marks of the citizens of a state, often containing certain quirks, oddities, and detailed provisions.

Accepted Answer

Constitutions are considered living documents because they can be amended, interpreted, and applied in ways that reflect the changing values, needs, and circumstances of a society. This adaptability allows them to evolve over time, incorporating the unique characteristics, traditions, and concerns of the citizens they govern.

Question 15

The concept of judicial review refers to the judiciary's power to declare the actions of the legislative and executive branches or the actions of lower courts unconstitutional.

Accepted Answer

Judicial review is the process by which courts interpret the constitution and review the constitutionality of actions or laws passed by the legislative and executive branches, as well as lower court decisions, to ensure they do not violate constitutional principles.

Quiz 3: State Constitutions: the Fundamental Rules of State Government