Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 2

Discuss the difference between constitutional conventions and constitutional commissions, and describe the role each plays in the constitutional revision process.

Accepted Answer

Constitutional conventions and constitutional commissions are both important components of the constitutional revision process, but they serve different roles and have different functions.

Constitutional conventions are gatherings of delegates or representatives who come together to discuss and propose changes to the constitution. These conventions are often called for by the government or by popular demand and are typically made up of elected officials, experts, and other stakeholders. The role of a constitutional convention is to review the existing constitution, identify areas that need revision or amendment, and propose changes to be considered by the government or the public. Constitutional conventions are an important part of the democratic process, as they provide a forum for open discussion and debate about the fundamental laws of the land.

On the other hand, constitutional commissions are independent bodies that are established to study and make recommendations for constitutional reform. These commissions are often made up of legal experts, scholars, and other professionals who have expertise in constitutional law and governance. The role of a constitutional commission is to conduct research, gather public input, and make recommendations for changes to the constitution. While they do not have the power to enact changes themselves, their recommendations are often influential in the constitutional revision process.

In summary, constitutional conventions are gatherings of delegates who propose changes to the constitution, while constitutional commissions are independent bodies that study and make recommendations for constitutional reform. Both play important roles in the constitutional revision process, providing opportunities for public input and expert analysis to inform the development of a more effective and responsive constitution.

Question 3

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

Answers may vary.

Question 4

Thomas Jefferson believed that each generation should have the right to choose for itself its own form of government, and that it would be appropriate for a new constitution to be considered about every

Accepted Answer

A)  twenty years. 
B)  fifty years. 
C)  thirty years. 
D)  forty years. 
A)  twenty years. 
B)  fifty years. 
C)  thirty years. 
D)  forty years.

Question 5

Which of the following descriptions BEST characterizes the condition of state constitutions by 1950?

Accepted Answer

A)  filled with needed details about the power and authority of local government 
B)  severely limiting the types of taxes, other fees, and revenues states could impose without a popular vote 
C)  long, inflexible, and overly detailed, thus tying the hands of state government in its efforts to meet the challenges of the era 
D)  modernized by adding much needed details, thus equipping the states to adapt to the era 
A)  filled with needed details about the power and authority of local government 
B)  severely limiting the types of taxes, other fees, and revenues states could impose without a popular vote 
C)  long, inflexible, and overly detailed, thus tying the hands of state government in its efforts to meet the challenges of the era 
D)  modernized by adding much needed details, thus equipping the states to adapt to the era

Question 6

The Massachusetts constitution, though amended, is the only constitution of the original thirteen states that still exists because

Accepted Answer

A)  Massachusetts is a very politically active state. 
B)  complicated procedures are required before it can be replaced. 
C)  the drafter, John Adams, grounded the document in extensive research of governments that took him all the way back to the ancients. 
D)  Massachusetts is unwilling to adjust to new ways. 
A)  Massachusetts is a very politically active state. 
B)  complicated procedures are required before it can be replaced. 
C)  the drafter, John Adams, grounded the document in extensive research of governments that took him all the way back to the ancients. 
D)  Massachusetts is unwilling to adjust to new ways.

Question 7

According to legend, a patriot hid the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut in a hollow tree (nicknamed Charter Oak) to keep the British from seizing the document.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Only federal law and federal statutes take priority over state constitutions and state laws.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

The informal method of amending state constitutions rests upon

Accepted Answer

A)  interpretation by governors. 
B)  direct initiative. 
C)  interpretation by the various branches of government. 
D)  reliance on challenges in the federal court system. 
A)  interpretation by governors. 
B)  direct initiative. 
C)  interpretation by the various branches of government. 
D)  reliance on challenges in the federal court system.

Question 10

Explain how judicial review and state protection of citizens' rights impact policies of state and local governments.

Accepted Answer

Judicial review and state protection of

Question 11

The only unicameral legislature in the United States can be found in

Accepted Answer

A)  Wisconsin. 
B)  Arizona. 
C)  Florida. 
D)  Nebraska. 
A)  Wisconsin. 
B)  Arizona. 
C)  Florida. 
D)  Nebraska.

Question 12

Which of the following was NOT a reason state constitutions increased significantly from their original size?

Accepted Answer

A)  growing social and economic complexity 
B)  a perceived need to be extremely specific about what the legislatures could do 
C)  a desire to delineate state from national powers 
D)  the early adoption of the legislative supremacy 
A)  growing social and economic complexity 
B)  a perceived need to be extremely specific about what the legislatures could do 
C)  a desire to delineate state from national powers 
D)  the early adoption of the legislative supremacy

Question 13

No constitutional formula can be suitable for all the states because they differ too much in history, society, economics, and political culture.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Once citizens obtain the signatures required to get a constitutional initiative placed on the ballot, experience has shown that

Accepted Answer

A)  a majority of the electorate will vote in favor of the change. 
B)  the electorate will respond with apathy. 
C)  opposing interests will then proclaim their objections. 
D)  the provisions of the initiative will be changed by the legislature. 
A)  a majority of the electorate will vote in favor of the change. 
B)  the electorate will respond with apathy. 
C)  opposing interests will then proclaim their objections. 
D)  the provisions of the initiative will be changed by the legislature.

Question 15

Vermont has the longest state constitution, with roughly 376,000 words.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

What change have many states made to their constitution in regard to the judicial branch?

Accepted Answer

A)  the division of the state court system 
B)  the selection of state judges through gubernatorial appointment 
C)  the selection of judges through a merit plan 
D)  the selection of state judges through legislative election 
A)  the division of the state court system 
B)  the selection of state judges through gubernatorial appointment 
C)  the selection of judges through a merit plan 
D)  the selection of state judges through legislative election

Question 17

Individual rights and liberties were first protected in state constitutions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

The National Municipal League's Model State Constitution emphasized

Accepted Answer

A)  a weak governor and strong legislature. 
B)  brevity and broad functions and responsibilities of government. 
C)  brevity and a weak governor. 
D)  a focus on specific and detailed policy issues. 
A)  a weak governor and strong legislature. 
B)  brevity and broad functions and responsibilities of government. 
C)  brevity and a weak governor. 
D)  a focus on specific and detailed policy issues.

Question 19

Which of the following problems do lengthy state constitutions create for states?

Accepted Answer

A)  an increased likelihood of contradicting U.S. Supreme Court decisions 
B)  the need for state courts to rule on conflicting provisions 
C)  the burden of increased legal costs that are passed on to business interests 
D)  the need for frequent revision 
A)  an increased likelihood of contradicting U.S. Supreme Court decisions 
B)  the need for state courts to rule on conflicting provisions 
C)  the burden of increased legal costs that are passed on to business interests 
D)  the need for frequent revision

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

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

Discuss the difference between constitutional conventions and constitutional commissions, and describe the role each plays in the constitutional revision process.

Thomas Jefferson believed that each generation should have the right to choose for itself its own form of government, and that it would be appropriate for a new constitution to be considered about every

Which of the following descriptions BEST characterizes the condition of state constitutions by 1950?

The Massachusetts constitution, though amended, is the only constitution of the original thirteen states that still exists because

According to legend, a patriot hid the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut in a hollow tree (nicknamed Charter Oak) to keep the British from seizing the document.

Only federal law and federal statutes take priority over state constitutions and state laws.

The informal method of amending state constitutions rests upon

Explain how judicial review and state protection of citizens' rights impact policies of state and local governments.

The only unicameral legislature in the United States can be found in

Which of the following was NOT a reason state constitutions increased significantly from their original size?

No constitutional formula can be suitable for all the states because they differ too much in history, society, economics, and political culture.

Once citizens obtain the signatures required to get a constitutional initiative placed on the ballot, experience has shown that

Vermont has the longest state constitution, with roughly 376,000 words.

What change have many states made to their constitution in regard to the judicial branch?

Individual rights and liberties were first protected in state constitutions.

The National Municipal League's Model State Constitution emphasized

Which of the following problems do lengthy state constitutions create for states?

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

New Directions for State and Local Governments

Federalism and the States

Citizen Participation and Elections

Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Campaigns

State Legislatures

Governors

Public Administration: Budgeting and Service Delivery

The Judiciary

State Local Relations

Local Government: Structure and Leadership

Taxing and Spending

Filters

Exam 3: State Constitutions

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

Discuss the difference between constitutional conventions and constitutional commissions, and describe the role each plays in the constitutional revision process.

Thomas Jefferson believed that each generation should have the right to choose for itself its own form of government, and that it would be appropriate for a new constitution to be considered about every

Which of the following descriptions BEST characterizes the condition of state constitutions by 1950?

The Massachusetts constitution, though amended, is the only constitution of the original thirteen states that still exists because

According to legend, a patriot hid the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut in a hollow tree (nicknamed Charter Oak) to keep the British from seizing the document.

Only federal law and federal statutes take priority over state constitutions and state laws.

The informal method of amending state constitutions rests upon

Explain how judicial review and state protection of citizens' rights impact policies of state and local governments.

The only unicameral legislature in the United States can be found in

Which of the following was NOT a reason state constitutions increased significantly from their original size?

No constitutional formula can be suitable for all the states because they differ too much in history, society, economics, and political culture.

Once citizens obtain the signatures required to get a constitutional initiative placed on the ballot, experience has shown that

Vermont has the longest state constitution, with roughly 376,000 words.

What change have many states made to their constitution in regard to the judicial branch?

Individual rights and liberties were first protected in state constitutions.

The National Municipal League's Model State Constitution emphasized

Which of the following problems do lengthy state constitutions create for states?

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

New Directions for State and Local Governments

Federalism and the States

Citizen Participation and Elections

Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Campaigns

State Legislatures

Governors

Public Administration: Budgeting and Service Delivery

The Judiciary

State Local Relations

Local Government: Structure and Leadership

Taxing and Spending

Filters