Question 1

popular sovereignty

Accepted Answer

people are the sole source of power

Question 2

limited government

Accepted Answer

powers given to gov't is restricted; ppl have the rights that gov't may not take away

Question 3

fundamental law

Accepted Answer

laws of such basic and lasting importance they cannot be changed as ordinary law can be

Question 4

initiative

Accepted Answer

process in which a certain number of qualified voters petition in favor of a proposal

Question 5

statutory law

Accepted Answer

law that should be enacted as ordinary law by the legislature

Question 6

police power

Accepted Answer

State's hugely important power to protect and promote the public health, public safety, public morals, and the general welfare

Question 7

constituent power

Accepted Answer

the non-legislative power of Constitution-making and the constitutional amendment process

Question 8

referendum

Accepted Answer

a process in which the legislature refers a measure to the voters for final approval or rejection

Question 9

recall

Accepted Answer

a petition procedure by which the voters may remove an elected official from office before the completion of their term

Question 10

item veto

Accepted Answer

the power to eliminate one or more items from a bill without rejecting the entire bill; used most often on spending measures

Question 11

clemency

Accepted Answer

powers of mercy that may be shown to persons convicted of a crime

Question 12

pardon

Accepted Answer

power of the governor to relieve someone of the legal consequences of a crime

Question 13

commutation

Accepted Answer

power to reduce or make less severe

Question 14

reprieve

Accepted Answer

an official postponement of the execution of a sentence

Question 15

parole

Accepted Answer

permits the release of a prisoner short of the completion of a sentence

Question 16

Why States adopted constitutions in the 1770s and 80s:

Accepted Answer

after the Second Continental Congress in 1776, they advised each of the states to adopt a constitution

Question 17

In California's bicameral legislature, the lower house can___________a speaker to preside

Accepted Answer

elect

Question 18

Name potential non legislative powers held by the California legislature

Accepted Answer

Examples: power to approve certain gubernatorial appointments, power of impeachment, power to make and revise constitutional amendments.

Question 19

Which State was the first in which popular approval played a direct role in the adoption and ratification of a State constitution?

Accepted Answer

Massachusets

Question 20

If a governor of California resigns or leaves office midterm the _____ serves the remainder of his term.

Accepted Answer

Lieutenant Governor

Question 21

The _____ is the usual device by which new State constitutions are written and older constitutions revised.

Accepted Answer

Constitutional Convention

Question 22

How long are the terms of California State legislators?

Accepted Answer

2 or 4 years

Question 23

Who is responsible for the formal interpretation of a State's constitutional and statutory law?

Accepted Answer

the Attorney General

Question 24

In California, as in 16 other States, voters may propose the passage of laws by

Accepted Answer

initiative

Question 25

Most State constitutions need reform because they are______________.

Accepted Answer

Possible Answers: too long, too old, unclear about the difference between fundamental and statutory law.

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