How Arizona's state government works, including initiative, referendum and recall
Grade 8 Social Studies Worksheet
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Arizona Constitution: initiative and referendum
Who made it: the Arizona Constitution, as published by the Arizona Legislature. When: the text in force today; it first took effect at statehood in 1912. Where: Phoenix, Arizona. For whom: Arizona voters, officials and courts. Why: to set the rules of state government. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Voters keep the power to propose laws (the initiative) and to approve or reject laws the legislature passed (the referendum). An initiative needs signatures equal to 10 percent of the votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last general election for a law, or 15 percent for a constitutional amendment. A referendum needs 5 percent, or the legislature can send a measure to the voters itself. Initiative petitions go to the secretary of state at least four months before the election; referendum petitions within ninety days after the legislature adjourns. The governor's veto does not extend to measures the voters approve. Most measures become law with a majority of the votes cast on them.
Ari's group has 70,000 signatures. In this made-up year, 1,000,000 votes were cast for governor. What can the group file?
- A law petition and a referendum; a law needs 70,000
- No petition, because each needs over 100,000
- Law, amendment and referendum petitions, since 70,000 beats the smallest
- A referendum petition only; it needs 50,000
Arizona Constitution: recall
Who made it: the Arizona Constitution, as published by the Arizona Legislature. When: the text in force today; it first took effect at statehood in 1912. Where: Phoenix, Arizona. For whom: Arizona voters, officials and courts. Why: to set the rules of state government. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Every elected public officer is subject to recall. A recall petition needs signatures equal to 25 percent of the votes cast at the last general election for all candidates for that office. Source card "Arizona Constitution: initiative and referendum". Who made it: the Arizona Constitution, as published by the Arizona Legislature. When: the text in force today; it first took effect at statehood in 1912. Where: Phoenix, Arizona. For whom: Arizona voters, officials and courts. Why: to set the rules of state government. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Voters keep the power to propose laws (the initiative) and to approve or reject laws the legislature passed (the referendum). An initiative needs signatures equal to 10 percent of the votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last general election for a law, or 15 percent for a constitutional amendment. A referendum needs 5 percent, or the legislature can send a measure to the voters itself. Initiative petitions go to the secretary of state at least four months before the election; referendum petitions within ninety days after the legislature adjourns. The governor's veto does not extend to measures the voters approve. Most measures become law with a majority of the votes cast on them.
Bo reads that a town mayor race drew 8,400 votes, while 1,500,000 votes went to governor statewide. How many signatures does a recall of the mayor need?
- 21,000 signatures
- 2,100 signatures
- 840 signatures
- 375,000 signatures
Arizona Constitution: initiative and referendum
Who made it: the Arizona Constitution, as published by the Arizona Legislature. When: the text in force today; it first took effect at statehood in 1912. Where: Phoenix, Arizona. For whom: Arizona voters, officials and courts. Why: to set the rules of state government. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Voters keep the power to propose laws (the initiative) and to approve or reject laws the legislature passed (the referendum). An initiative needs signatures equal to 10 percent of the votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last general election for a law, or 15 percent for a constitutional amendment. A referendum needs 5 percent, or the legislature can send a measure to the voters itself. Initiative petitions go to the secretary of state at least four months before the election; referendum petitions within ninety days after the legislature adjourns. The governor's veto does not extend to measures the voters approve. Most measures become law with a majority of the votes cast on them. Source card "Arizona Constitution: recall". Who made it: the Arizona Constitution, as published by the Arizona Legislature. When: the text in force today; it first took effect at statehood in 1912. Where: Phoenix, Arizona. For whom: Arizona voters, officials and courts. Why: to set the rules of state government. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Every elected public officer is subject to recall. A recall petition needs signatures equal to 25 percent of the votes cast at the last general election for all candidates for that office.
The legislature passed a law and the governor signed it. Esme and neighbors want voters to decide. Which step and deadline apply?
- A referendum petition, filed at least four months before the election
- An initiative petition, filed at least four months before the next general election
- A referendum petition, filed within ninety days after the legislature adjourns
- A recall petition against the governor, which cancels the law
Arizona Constitution: legislature, governor and courts
Who made it: the Arizona Constitution, as published by the Arizona Legislature. When: the text in force today; it first took effect at statehood in 1912. Where: Phoenix, Arizona. For whom: Arizona voters, officials and courts. Why: to set the rules of state government. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Each of 30 legislative districts elects one senator and two representatives, so the senate has 30 members and the house has 60. The governor serves four years and may veto a bill. Two-thirds of the members elected to each house can pass a bill over the veto. A bill the governor does not return within five days (Sundays excepted) becomes law. The supreme court has seven justices with six-year terms. A vacancy is filled by the governor from nominees sent by a commission. The court declares a law unconstitutional only when sitting in banc.
Kira looks for a check of one branch on another. Which pair of facts from the card shows that?
- The governor can veto a bill, and two-thirds of each house can override
- Justices serve six years, and the governor cannot appoint anyone
- The supreme court passes bills, and the governor vetoes them
- The legislature writes the court's rulings, and the governor reviews them
Arizona Constitution: initiative and referendum
Who made it: the Arizona Constitution, as published by the Arizona Legislature. When: the text in force today; it first took effect at statehood in 1912. Where: Phoenix, Arizona. For whom: Arizona voters, officials and courts. Why: to set the rules of state government. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Voters keep the power to propose laws (the initiative) and to approve or reject laws the legislature passed (the referendum). An initiative needs signatures equal to 10 percent of the votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last general election for a law, or 15 percent for a constitutional amendment. A referendum needs 5 percent, or the legislature can send a measure to the voters itself. Initiative petitions go to the secretary of state at least four months before the election; referendum petitions within ninety days after the legislature adjourns. The governor's veto does not extend to measures the voters approve. Most measures become law with a majority of the votes cast on them.
A flyer says, "Five percent of Arizona residents can cancel a law." Luz checks the card. What does the flyer get wrong?
- It must be filed four months before an election
- The percent is of votes cast for governor, not of residents
- Nothing, because residents and voters are the same group
- The percent should be 10, not 5, because this is a referendum
Arizona Constitution: initiative and referendum
Who made it: the Arizona Constitution, as published by the Arizona Legislature. When: the text in force today; it first took effect at statehood in 1912. Where: Phoenix, Arizona. For whom: Arizona voters, officials and courts. Why: to set the rules of state government. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Voters keep the power to propose laws (the initiative) and to approve or reject laws the legislature passed (the referendum). An initiative needs signatures equal to 10 percent of the votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last general election for a law, or 15 percent for a constitutional amendment. A referendum needs 5 percent, or the legislature can send a measure to the voters itself. Initiative petitions go to the secretary of state at least four months before the election; referendum petitions within ninety days after the legislature adjourns. The governor's veto does not extend to measures the voters approve. Most measures become law with a majority of the votes cast on them. Source card "Arizona Constitution: legislature, governor and courts". Who made it: the Arizona Constitution, as published by the Arizona Legislature. When: the text in force today; it first took effect at statehood in 1912. Where: Phoenix, Arizona. For whom: Arizona voters, officials and courts. Why: to set the rules of state government. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Each of 30 legislative districts elects one senator and two representatives, so the senate has 30 members and the house has 60. The governor serves four years and may veto a bill. Two-thirds of the members elected to each house can pass a bill over the veto. A bill the governor does not return within five days (Sundays excepted) becomes law. The supreme court has seven justices with six-year terms. A vacancy is filled by the governor from nominees sent by a commission. The court declares a law unconstitutional only when sitting in banc.
Noah sees the legislature pass a law, the governor veto it, and voters later pass the same idea by initiative. What does that show?
- The governor can still veto an initiative within five days of the vote
- The legislature must approve the initiative first
- Voters can overrule the supreme court on any law
- Voters can write law without the legislature or the governor's veto
Taft's 1911 veto
Who made it: the National Archives, Center for Legislative Archives. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain a document in its collection. Summary in our words, not a quotation: On August 15, 1911, President Taft vetoed the statehood resolution in large part because Arizona's constitution allowed the recall of judges. Source card "Arizona timeline: recall of judges". Who made it: the US Senate, in its States in the Senate series. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to list the steps by which states joined the Senate. Summary in our words, not a quotation: In December 1911 the people voted to remove the recall of judges from the constitution, and after statehood the voters reinstated it. Arizona became the 48th state on February 14, 1912.
Pia reads that voters removed the recall of judges in 1911 and restored it after statehood. What does that show about Arizona's constitution?
- Voters could change the constitution themselves, so they changed it twice
- The governor removed and restored the recall by order
- Congress alone could change the constitution, so Taft's veto settled it in 1911
- Voters can change the constitution without any rules
Arizona Constitution: recall
Who made it: the Arizona Constitution, as published by the Arizona Legislature. When: the text in force today; it first took effect at statehood in 1912. Where: Phoenix, Arizona. For whom: Arizona voters, officials and courts. Why: to set the rules of state government. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Every elected public officer is subject to recall. A recall petition needs signatures equal to 25 percent of the votes cast at the last general election for all candidates for that office. Source card "Taft's 1911 veto". Who made it: the National Archives, Center for Legislative Archives. When: today. Where: Washington, DC. For whom: readers today. Why: to explain a document in its collection. Summary in our words, not a quotation: On August 15, 1911, President Taft vetoed the statehood resolution in large part because Arizona's constitution allowed the recall of judges.
Ren reads that recall applies to every elected officer, and that Taft objected in 1911 to the recall of judges. Which statement is supported?
- Because recall covers elected officers, judges were within its reach
- Recall applied to the governor and legislators, not to judges
- Taft proved that recall of judges fails in practice
- Recall covered judges because Taft wrote it into Arizona's constitution
Arizona Constitution: initiative and referendum
Who made it: the Arizona Constitution, as published by the Arizona Legislature. When: the text in force today; it first took effect at statehood in 1912. Where: Phoenix, Arizona. For whom: Arizona voters, officials and courts. Why: to set the rules of state government. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Voters keep the power to propose laws (the initiative) and to approve or reject laws the legislature passed (the referendum). An initiative needs signatures equal to 10 percent of the votes cast for all candidates for governor at the last general election for a law, or 15 percent for a constitutional amendment. A referendum needs 5 percent, or the legislature can send a measure to the voters itself. Initiative petitions go to the secretary of state at least four months before the election; referendum petitions within ninety days after the legislature adjourns. The governor's veto does not extend to measures the voters approve. Most measures become law with a majority of the votes cast on them.
Tala imagines a year with 1,200,000 votes for governor. How many more signatures does a law initiative need than a referendum?
- 120,000 more signatures
- 12,000 more signatures
- 180,000 more signatures
- 60,000 more signatures
Arizona Constitution: legislature, governor and courts
Who made it: the Arizona Constitution, as published by the Arizona Legislature. When: the text in force today; it first took effect at statehood in 1912. Where: Phoenix, Arizona. For whom: Arizona voters, officials and courts. Why: to set the rules of state government. Summary in our words, not a quotation: Each of 30 legislative districts elects one senator and two representatives, so the senate has 30 members and the house has 60. The governor serves four years and may veto a bill. Two-thirds of the members elected to each house can pass a bill over the veto. A bill the governor does not return within five days (Sundays excepted) becomes law. The supreme court has seven justices with six-year terms. A vacancy is filled by the governor from nominees sent by a commission. The court declares a law unconstitutional only when sitting in banc.
Zee counts Arizona lawmakers: 30 districts each elect one senator and two representatives. How many lawmakers total must vote to override a veto?
- 45 lawmakers, half of the 90 members
- 40 lawmakers, two-thirds of the house alone
- 60 lawmakers: 20 senators and 40 representatives
- 90 lawmakers, the full membership of both houses