Question 1

The most common method for proposing amendments to state constitutions is to use a constitutional initiative petition.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

According to the text, a poll of Alabamans showed what percentage of them favored constitutional reform?

Accepted Answer

A) 54% 
B) 61% 
C) 23% 
D) 85% 
E) 75% 
A) 54% 
B) 61% 
C) 23% 
D) 85% 
E) 75%

Question 3

New Hampshire has the longest constitution of any American state.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

In Michigan's 2006 vote on Proposition 2, which restricted affirmative action, a majority of which of the following voted against it?

Accepted Answer

A) Men 
B) Women 
C) Whites 
D) African Americas 
E) A majority of all groups voted against the proposition; it was not approved. 
A) Men 
B) Women 
C) Whites 
D) African Americas 
E) A majority of all groups voted against the proposition; it was not approved.

Question 5

Unlike the federal Constitution, many state constitutions contain specific provisions

Accepted Answer

A) for the process of amending the constitution. 
B) establishing separation of powers. 
C) requiring a bicameral legislature. 
D) detailing why and how much money can be spent and in what manner. 
E) on the authority of the three branches of government. 
A) for the process of amending the constitution. 
B) establishing separation of powers. 
C) requiring a bicameral legislature. 
D) detailing why and how much money can be spent and in what manner. 
E) on the authority of the three branches of government.

Question 6

In 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that discriminating against same-sex marriages

Accepted Answer

A) was fine as long as the state recognized civil unions. 
B) violated the state constitution. 
C) was consistent with the state's defense of marriage legislation. 
D) violated the U.S.Constitution. 
E) was not part of its jurisdiction to examine. 
A) was fine as long as the state recognized civil unions. 
B) violated the state constitution. 
C) was consistent with the state's defense of marriage legislation. 
D) violated the U.S.Constitution. 
E) was not part of its jurisdiction to examine.

Question 7

What is the goal of new judicial federalism?

Accepted Answer

A) To provide more protection for some rights than is provided by the U.S.Supreme Court's interpretation of the federal Bill of Rights 
B) To protest the increasingly liberal decisions of the U.S.Supreme Court, especially in the area of civil rights 
C) To attempt to decrease the need for so many amendments to state constitutions 
D) To provide for more strict enforcement of drunk driving and drug testing laws 
E) To bolster the states' role in homeland security 
A) To provide more protection for some rights than is provided by the U.S.Supreme Court's interpretation of the federal Bill of Rights 
B) To protest the increasingly liberal decisions of the U.S.Supreme Court, especially in the area of civil rights 
C) To attempt to decrease the need for so many amendments to state constitutions 
D) To provide for more strict enforcement of drunk driving and drug testing laws 
E) To bolster the states' role in homeland security

Question 8

Florida and Utah both have atypical constitutional revision commissions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a typical component of state constitutions?

Accepted Answer

A) A bill of rights 
B) A description of the form and powers of local units of government 
C) An article establishing an official religion for the state 
D) An article on the process for amending the constitution 
E) A preamble 
A) A bill of rights 
B) A description of the form and powers of local units of government 
C) An article establishing an official religion for the state 
D) An article on the process for amending the constitution 
E) A preamble

Question 10

How many states still have their original constitution?

Accepted Answer

A) 11 
B) 19 
C) 7 
D) 6 
E) None 
A) 11 
B) 19 
C) 7 
D) 6 
E) None

Question 11

Rhode Island's constitution calls for voters to be asked if they want to convene a constitutional convention every 10 years.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Typical provisions in state constitutions include a preamble, articles providing for the separation of powers, and a description of the form and powers of local units of government.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The 1902 Alabama constitution was designed to

Accepted Answer

A) give women as few rights as possible. 
B) make sure abortion is never legal, despite federal law. 
C) make Christianity the center of the state's legal statutes. 
D) preserve gun ownership laws. 
E) repress African Americans. 
A) give women as few rights as possible. 
B) make sure abortion is never legal, despite federal law. 
C) make Christianity the center of the state's legal statutes. 
D) preserve gun ownership laws. 
E) repress African Americans.

Question 14

When did Texas last hold a constitutional convention?

Accepted Answer

A) 1994 
B) 1988 
C) 1972 
D) 2002 
E) 1976 
A) 1994 
B) 1988 
C) 1972 
D) 2002 
E) 1976

Question 15

All states permit their legislatures to propose constitutional amendments.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which of the following best describes most state constitutions?

Accepted Answer

A) They exactly reproduce the U.S.Bill of Rights. 
B) They do not include preambles. 
C) Only the limitations of the U.S.Constitution restrain them. 
D) They do not include a specific separation of powers. 
E) They do not address judicial review. 
A) They exactly reproduce the U.S.Bill of Rights. 
B) They do not include preambles. 
C) Only the limitations of the U.S.Constitution restrain them. 
D) They do not include a specific separation of powers. 
E) They do not address judicial review.

Question 17

What effect does the elaborate detail found in most state constitutions tend to have?

Accepted Answer

A) State elected officials are allowed greater legislative discretion 
B) Appointed administrative positions in the state are less accountable to the state legislature 
C) Political action is constricted within a constitutional straitjacket 
D) There is less possibility of federal preemption of state law 
E) None of the above 
A) State elected officials are allowed greater legislative discretion 
B) Appointed administrative positions in the state are less accountable to the state legislature 
C) Political action is constricted within a constitutional straitjacket 
D) There is less possibility of federal preemption of state law 
E) None of the above

Question 18

The Texas state constitution has been amended approximately 100 times since it was adopted in 1876.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

In which state is a constitutional amendment NOT required to be approved by voters?

Accepted Answer

A) Connecticut 
B) Georgia 
C) Hawaii 
D) Kansas 
E) Delaware 
A) Connecticut 
B) Georgia 
C) Hawaii 
D) Kansas 
E) Delaware

Question 20

Which of the following is FALSE? Amendments proposed by constitutional initiative petitions

Accepted Answer

A) tend to be used for controversial issues. 
B) tend to bring about organized opposition. 
C) require a higher proportion of the popular vote to be approved. 
D) are often proposed by narrow-based groups. 
E) are sometimes introduced with the real purpose of launching educational campaigns. 
A) tend to be used for controversial issues. 
B) tend to bring about organized opposition. 
C) require a higher proportion of the popular vote to be approved. 
D) are often proposed by narrow-based groups. 
E) are sometimes introduced with the real purpose of launching educational campaigns.

Exam 22: State Constitutions

The most common method for proposing amendments to state constitutions is to use a constitutional initiative petition.

According to the text, a poll of Alabamans showed what percentage of them favored constitutional reform?

New Hampshire has the longest constitution of any American state.

In Michigan's 2006 vote on Proposition 2, which restricted affirmative action, a majority of which of the following voted against it?

Unlike the federal Constitution, many state constitutions contain specific provisions

In 2003, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that discriminating against same-sex marriages

What is the goal of new judicial federalism?

Florida and Utah both have atypical constitutional revision commissions.

Which of the following is NOT a typical component of state constitutions?

How many states still have their original constitution?

Rhode Island's constitution calls for voters to be asked if they want to convene a constitutional convention every 10 years.

Typical provisions in state constitutions include a preamble, articles providing for the separation of powers, and a description of the form and powers of local units of government.

The 1902 Alabama constitution was designed to

When did Texas last hold a constitutional convention?

All states permit their legislatures to propose constitutional amendments.

Which of the following best describes most state constitutions?

What effect does the elaborate detail found in most state constitutions tend to have?

The Texas state constitution has been amended approximately 100 times since it was adopted in 1876.

In which state is a constitutional amendment NOT required to be approved by voters?

Which of the following is FALSE? Amendments proposed by constitutional initiative petitions

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