Comparison of United States and Texas Constitutions

DIFFERENCES U.S. Constitution VS. Texas Constitution U.S. Constitution has not been rewritten has strong separation of powers & strong executive (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) U.S Constitution is short - 7,400 words, with only 27 Amendments state constitutions have been rewritten several times have weak separation of powers because of a division of executive (governor’s) power among several other elected officials. TX. Constitution is very wordy - 80,000 words long, over 400 Amendments DIFFERENCES

DIFFERENCES U.S. Constitution VS. Texas Constitution May change through two methods: 1. Constitutional amendment 2. Judicial interpretation through the Supreme Court Highest law of the land May change through one method: Constitutional amendment May not make laws that go against the U.S. Constitution DIFFERENCES

SIMILARITIES U.S. Constitution VS. Texas Constitution Bicameral Legislative branch (two house congress) Vote for/elect representatives Limit the power of government Three branches of government Legislative branch makes the laws Judicial branch interprets the law Executive branch enforces the law Both have a Bill of Rights Individual rights (our freedoms) protected in a Bill of Rights At one time, slavery was legal under both constitutions