Question 1

Which of the following was NOT a result of the 1978 Hawaii constitutional convention and vote?

Accepted Answer

A) A term limit for the governor and lieutenant governor 
B) The legalization of marijuana 
C) More open primaries 
D) Some public funding for election campaigns 
E) Spending limits 
A) A term limit for the governor and lieutenant governor 
B) The legalization of marijuana 
C) More open primaries 
D) Some public funding for election campaigns 
E) Spending limits

Question 2

Which statement about typical state constitutions is correct?

Accepted Answer

A) They are similar in general outline 
B) They require the same governmental processes 
C) They are vague about the form and powers of local units 
D) They deny state judges the power of judicial review 
E) They do not contain a bill of rights 
A) They are similar in general outline 
B) They require the same governmental processes 
C) They are vague about the form and powers of local units 
D) They deny state judges the power of judicial review 
E) They do not contain a bill of rights

Question 3

What is a supermajority?

Accepted Answer

A) 51% 
B) 52% 
C) 60% plus one 
D) 50% plus one 
E) 75% 
A) 51% 
B) 52% 
C) 60% plus one 
D) 50% plus one 
E) 75%

Question 4

Amending state constitutions is a two-step process.The two steps are

Accepted Answer

A) proposal and ratification. 
B) passage and judicial review. 
C) legislative passage and gubernatorial signing. 
D) drafting and introducing. 
E) evaluating and implementing. 
A) proposal and ratification. 
B) passage and judicial review. 
C) legislative passage and gubernatorial signing. 
D) drafting and introducing. 
E) evaluating and implementing.

Question 5

What was the topic of the 2004 constitutional amendment on which Rhode Islanders voted and approved?

Accepted Answer

A) Abortion 
B) Free speech 
C) Due process 
D) Separation of powers 
E) Fishing rights 
A) Abortion 
B) Free speech 
C) Due process 
D) Separation of powers 
E) Fishing rights

Question 6

Which of the following offices in a government, under a typical state constitution, is appointed?

Accepted Answer

A) Attorney general 
B) State auditor 
C) Treasurer 
D) Insurance commission 
E) All these offices are appointed 
A) Attorney general 
B) State auditor 
C) Treasurer 
D) Insurance commission 
E) All these offices are appointed

Question 7

What is judicial interpretation?

Accepted Answer

A) When a court case is accepted for hearing before a state supreme court 
B) When a court case is accepted for hearing before the U.S.Supreme Court 
C) When judges write and propose a new state constitutional amendment 
D) When judges modify a constitution's provision by reinterpreting its meaning 
E) When judges issue official dissention from the bench concerning a proposed state constitutional amendment 
A) When a court case is accepted for hearing before a state supreme court 
B) When a court case is accepted for hearing before the U.S.Supreme Court 
C) When judges write and propose a new state constitutional amendment 
D) When judges modify a constitution's provision by reinterpreting its meaning 
E) When judges issue official dissention from the bench concerning a proposed state constitutional amendment

Question 8

In all states, voters must approve the calling of a convention.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

A revision commission is

Accepted Answer

A) a group of voters who join together to suggest revisions to a proposed state constitutional amendment. 
B) a state commission, appointed by the legislature, to make recommendations for a change to the state constitution. 
C) a group of legislators, selected by the governor, that writes up an initial draft of a proposed constitutional amendment. 
D) a group of state leaders, selected by legislative committee, that makes suggestions for any number of proposed state constitutional amendments. 
E) a combined group of members of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government, voting as representatives of each branch, which makes suggestions for revisions to proposed state constitutional amendments. 
A) a group of voters who join together to suggest revisions to a proposed state constitutional amendment. 
B) a state commission, appointed by the legislature, to make recommendations for a change to the state constitution. 
C) a group of legislators, selected by the governor, that writes up an initial draft of a proposed constitutional amendment. 
D) a group of state leaders, selected by legislative committee, that makes suggestions for any number of proposed state constitutional amendments. 
E) a combined group of members of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government, voting as representatives of each branch, which makes suggestions for revisions to proposed state constitutional amendments.

Question 10

Since its constitutional convention of 1972-1973, Texas

Accepted Answer

A) has held ten additional constitutional conventions. 
B) has not approved any amendments to its constitution. 
C) has adopted two entirely new constitutions. 
D) has not held any more constitutional conventions. 
E) has dramatically changed the way in which its constitution can be amended. 
A) has held ten additional constitutional conventions. 
B) has not approved any amendments to its constitution. 
C) has adopted two entirely new constitutions. 
D) has not held any more constitutional conventions. 
E) has dramatically changed the way in which its constitution can be amended.

Question 11

Massachusetts and New Hampshire have charters still in effect that are older than the U.S.Constitution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

California's Proposition 13 significantly expanded the state government's flexibility and capability with regard to generating state revenues.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Once a convention is called, through whatever process a state requires, what is the next step toward holding a convention?

Accepted Answer

A) The governor and legislature negotiate the time at which the convention will be held. 
B) The governor charges the legislature with advertising the convention. 
C) The legislature establishes the issues to be discussed at the convention. 
D) Delegates are selected; the states vary in their approach to this process. 
E) All major newspapers in each state's counties (or parishes) must advertise the convention in its legal section. 
A) The governor and legislature negotiate the time at which the convention will be held. 
B) The governor charges the legislature with advertising the convention. 
C) The legislature establishes the issues to be discussed at the convention. 
D) Delegates are selected; the states vary in their approach to this process. 
E) All major newspapers in each state's counties (or parishes) must advertise the convention in its legal section.

Question 14

In 1986, how many of the 14 proposed amendments to Rhode Island's constitution were approved by voters?

Accepted Answer

A)  All 14 
B)  12 
C) 8 
D) 5 
E)  None 
A)  All 14 
B)  12 
C) 8 
D) 5 
E)  None

Question 15

The most recent (i.e.current) Alabama constitution was adopted in

Accepted Answer

A) 2004. 
B) 1778. 
C) 1865. 
D) 1993. 
E) 1902. 
A) 2004. 
B) 1778. 
C) 1865. 
D) 1993. 
E) 1902.

Question 16

A constitutional initiative petition is a device that permits voters to place specific amendments to a state constitution on the ballot.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

A method whereby judges modify the force of a constitutional provision by reinterpreting its meaning is known as

Accepted Answer

A) judicial interpretation. 
B) judicial activism. 
C) judicial constraint. 
D) judicial independence. 
E) judicial authority. 
A) judicial interpretation. 
B) judicial activism. 
C) judicial constraint. 
D) judicial independence. 
E) judicial authority.

Question 18

Which is the only state that allows the legislature to propose and ratify amendments to the state constitution?

Accepted Answer

A) New Mexico 
B) Delaware 
C) Minnesota 
D) Hawaii 
E) Massachusetts 
A) New Mexico 
B) Delaware 
C) Minnesota 
D) Hawaii 
E) Massachusetts

Question 19

What was controversial about the 1986 vote in Hawaii on whether or not to call a convention?

Accepted Answer

A) Rumors of political payoffs by special interest groups 
B) The push to include a same-sex marriage amendment if a convention was called 
C) The push to limit police searches if a convention was called 
D) The fact that blank ballots were tallied as "no" votes 
E) Rumors of corruption among potential convention delegates 
A) Rumors of political payoffs by special interest groups 
B) The push to include a same-sex marriage amendment if a convention was called 
C) The push to limit police searches if a convention was called 
D) The fact that blank ballots were tallied as "no" votes 
E) Rumors of corruption among potential convention delegates

Question 20

Most states require approval by a supermajority of each chamber of the legislature to approve constitutional amendments.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 22: State Constitutions

Which of the following was NOT a result of the 1978 Hawaii constitutional convention and vote?

Which statement about typical state constitutions is correct?

What is a supermajority?

Amending state constitutions is a two-step process.The two steps are

What was the topic of the 2004 constitutional amendment on which Rhode Islanders voted and approved?

Which of the following offices in a government, under a typical state constitution, is appointed?

What is judicial interpretation?

In all states, voters must approve the calling of a convention.

A revision commission is

Since its constitutional convention of 1972-1973, Texas

Massachusetts and New Hampshire have charters still in effect that are older than the U.S.Constitution.

California's Proposition 13 significantly expanded the state government's flexibility and capability with regard to generating state revenues.

Once a convention is called, through whatever process a state requires, what is the next step toward holding a convention?

In 1986, how many of the 14 proposed amendments to Rhode Island's constitution were approved by voters?

The most recent (i.e.current) Alabama constitution was adopted in

A constitutional initiative petition is a device that permits voters to place specific amendments to a state constitution on the ballot.

A method whereby judges modify the force of a constitutional provision by reinterpreting its meaning is known as

Which is the only state that allows the legislature to propose and ratify amendments to the state constitution?

What was controversial about the 1986 vote in Hawaii on whether or not to call a convention?

Most states require approval by a supermajority of each chamber of the legislature to approve constitutional amendments.

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