How Arizona's state government works, including initiative, referendum and recall
Grade 8 Social Studies Worksheet - Building Confidence
Circle the best answer.
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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. 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.
Ari's neighbors want a new law that the legislature will not take up. Which tool in the cards fits?
- A referendum: a vote on the law before the neighbors write it
- A recall: a petition that forces the legislature to pass their measure
- A veto: the governor's power to add the law without a petition
- An initiative: a petition that puts their own measure on the ballot
Bo hears that the legislature passed a law many residents dislike. Which tool lets voters decide on that law?
- A veto: a governor's power to cancel the law after voters object
- An initiative: a petition to write a brand-new measure for the ballot
- A recall: a petition that cancels any law the legislature passes
- A referendum: a petition to vote on the law the legislature passed
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.
Esme reads about a town where voters think a mayor is doing a poor job. Which tool lets voters end the mayor's term early?
- An initiative: a petition to propose a measure
- A referendum: a vote on whether the mayor may keep office
- A veto: the governor removes the mayor right away
- A recall: a petition to remove an elected officer
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 reads that the governor vetoed a bill. All 30 senators and 60 representatives are present. How many of each are needed to override?
- 20 senators and 31 representatives
- 16 senators and 31 representatives
- 23 senators and 45 representatives
- 20 senators and 40 representatives
Luz hears that a new state law may break the state constitution. Which body can rule that a law is unconstitutional, and how?
- The supreme court, sitting in banc as the full court
- The legislature, by passing the law a second time
- Any single justice, alone in chambers
- The governor, by signing a written note on the law itself
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.
Milo reads that voters approve an initiative. The governor opposes it. What does the card say about the governor's veto?
- The veto does not extend to measures the voters approve
- The governor can veto it within five days
- The governor can veto just the constitutional amendments
- The governor can veto it if two-thirds of the legislature agree
In a made-up year, the legislature adjourns on June 30. Noah asks by what date a referendum petition must be filed.
- By July 30, thirty days later
- By September 28, ninety days later
- By August 30, sixty days later
- By October 30, four months later
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.
Ren reads both cards. What happened to Arizona's recall of judges after Taft's veto?
- Voters restored it in December 1911, after removing it in 1910
- Voters removed it in December 1911, then restored it after statehood
- Congress removed it and voters kept it removed
- Taft's veto removed it, and nothing changed again after statehood in 1912
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.
Tala compares the two cards. Which pair of signature rules is correct?
- Recall and a referendum both need 10 percent
- Recall needs 15 percent; a referendum needs 10 percent
- Recall needs 25 percent; a referendum needs 5 percent
- Recall needs 5 percent; a referendum needs 25 percent
Zee lists three wishes: a new law, a canceled law, and an official removed. Which pairing of tools is right?
- Recall, referendum, initiative
- Initiative, referendum, recall
- Referendum, initiative, recall
- Initiative, recall, referendum