State Constitutions Chapter 23 Section 1

Section 1 Why Constitutions Matter State constitutions are important for several reasons: State constitutions create the structure of state government and provides for separation of powers. State constitutions establish the different types of local government, such as counties, townships, municipalities, special districts, parishes, and boroughs.

Section 1 Why Constitutions Matter (cont.) State constitutions regulate the ways state and local governments can raise and spend money. State constitutions establish independent state agencies, boards, and commissions that have power in areas that affect citizens’ lives directly.

Section 1 Characteristics of Constitutions State constitutions share some basic characteristics: All state constitutions contain a bill of rights. The average state constitution is more than 30,000 words long.

Section 1 Amendments and Changes Amendments to the state constitution are sometimes necessary to address societal changes. The amendment process has two steps: proposal and ratification. In every state, the state legislature has the power to propose an amendment.

Section 1 Amendments and Changes (cont.) Eighteen states allow the people to propose constitutional amendments by popular initiative—the method by which citizens propose an amendment or law.