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?