Download N.C. Constitution

Vocab
• Declaration of Rights- Similar to the Bill of Rights, it
outlines the rights of all NC citizens
• General Assembly- Head of the Legislative Branch, it is
made up of the NC House of Rep. and NC Senate.
• Statute- State law passed by General Assembly
• Governor- Enforces state laws and head of the Executive
Branch.
• County Manager- County’s chief administrator
• Sheriff- County top law enforcement officer
• Council Manager Plan- Plan of city government where a
city council sets policies for the city
• Mayor-Council Plan- Plan of city government that
involves either a strong or weak mayor system
• Local Act- Process by which voters can amend a local law
• NC Supreme Court- Has the power of judicial review over
laws passed by General Assembly and appellate
jurisdiction over lower state courts
• County Commissioners- Establish county policies and
manage county money
Warm-Up
• When the framers of the U.S. Constitution
created a federal system, they ensured that
power would be shared between the national
and state governments.
• What are some responsibilities held only by
state governments?
N.C. Constitution
Background of the NC Constitution
• NC has had 3 Constitutions
– 1776
– 1868
– 1971
• Principles of the NC
Constitution
– Popular sovereignty
– Separation of powers
– Checks & balances
Structure of the NC Constitution
• Preamble- Opening sentence
that defines the intent of the
document
• Article I- Declaration of
Rights
– Similar to the Bill of Rights
• Article II- Legislative Branch
• Article III- Executive Branch
• Article IV- Judicial Branch
Compare/Contrast Preambles
• NC Preamble
• “We, the people of the State of
North Carolina, grateful to
Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler
of Nations, for the preservation of
the American Union and the
existence of our civil, political and
religious liberties, and
acknowledging our dependence
up Him for the continuance of
those blessings to use and our
posterity do, for the more certain
security thereof and for the better
government of this Sate, ordain
and establish this Constitution.”
• US Preamble
• We the People of the United
States, in Order to form a
more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic
Tranquility, provide for the
common defense, promote
the general Welfare, and
secure the Blessings of
Liberty to ourselves and our
Posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for
the United States of America.
Amending the State Constitution
• Constitutional Convention
– 2/3rds of each house of General Assembly must vote in favor of
convention
– NC citizens must vote in favor of convention
– Referendum
• NC citizens vote on proposed amendments to state constitution
• Legislative Initiative
– When the General Assembly proposes amendments
– Referendum
• Changes are added into the Constitution rather than being
added to the end
NC Legislative Branch
• General Assembly
– NC House of Representatives
(120 members)
• 21 years old
• Live in the district for a year
before the election
– NC Senate (50 members)
• 25 years old
• Citizen of NC for 2 years
• Lived in district for at least 1
year before the election
• Writes/creates statutes
– State laws
NC Executive Branch
• Governor
– 4 year term, 2 consecutive
terms
– 30 years old
– US citizen for at least 5 years
– Lived in NC for at least 2 years
• Lieutenant Governor
• Council of State (elected by
the people)
• Cabinet (appointed by
governor)
NC Judicial Branch
• NC District Courts
– Judge hears the case and
decides the verdict
• NC Superior Courts
– Juries make the decisions
• NC Court of Appeals
– Hear most appeal cases
• NC Supreme Court
– 7 judges; elected for 8 year
terms
County Gov’t
• County Commissioners
– Establish policies, deal with
county money
• County Manager
– Acts as the county’s chief
administrator
• Sheriff
– Chief law enforcement
officer
Local Gov’t
• Council-Manager Plan
– Citizens elect a council which
then hires a city manager
– The city council sets polices
while the city manager carries
them out
• Mayor-Council Plan
– Mayor
• Serves as chief executive
– City Council
• Passes city ordinances
– Laws specific to the
city
• Local Act
– Process by which voters can amend a local law
– A local act is put before voters of a town, city or
community, and if approved, becomes law
COMPLETE GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Reflection
1. What are some differences and similarities
between the U.S. and N.C. Constitutions?
2. What are the differences between the 3 N.C.
Constitutions?
EQ: EXPLAIN HOW DOES THE NC CONSTITUTION
DISTRIBUTE GOVERNMENT POWER AND AT THE
SAME TIME GUARENTEE PEOPLES RIGHTS?