NORTH CAROLINA

CONSTITUTION
 POWER OF THE PEOPLE

• The North Carolina Constitution is similar to the United

States Constitution
• It begins “We the People…”
• The Preamble (introduction of the document) is different from
the United States Constitution
• It refers to some principle of divine (or godly) guidance
• Article I, Declaration of Rights
• Spells out the civil liberties and rights of its citizens
• Similar to the Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments to the US
Constitution)
• In fact, many states had these rights listed in their state constitutions and it is
how they were established for the US Constitution
PRINCIPLES OF THE NC CONSTITUTION

• Many principles found in the US Constitution are found in the

North Carolina Constitution
• Popular sovereignty: people have the right to rule
• Limited government: no one is above the law (rule of law)
• Separation of power: 3 branches of government
• Checks and balances: each branch of government checks the power of
the other
• Flexibility: the constitution can be amended (changed)
• Article XVIII (18) provides a way to amend the Constitution
NORTH CAROLINA’S MANY
CONSTITUTIONS
• The first constitution was adopted December 18, 1776
• It was established because a framework of government was necessary
since the states had declared their independence back in July
• Constitution of 1853
• Voters gained the power to elect the governor
• Voters gained the power to approve or reject constitutional
amendments
• Voting rights were TAKEN away from free men of African descent and
Native Americans
• Constitution of 1868
• States were required by Congress to re-write their state constitution to
exclude SLAVERY
• Opened up participation in government
• Abolished slavery
• all men 21 or older could now vote, regardless of race, color, or
previous condition of servitude
• Constitution of 1971
• Few additions and changes in text (wording)
• i.e. “all elections ought to be free” changed to “all elections shall be free”
• Added guarantees of freedom of speech and equal protection of the laws
• Amendments since
1971
• 1972: reduced the voting
age from 21 to 18
• 1977: permitted the
governor to serve 2
consecutive 4 year terms
• 1996: gave the governor
the power to veto
legislation
STATE LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH
 STATE LAWMAKERS

• NC’s state legislature is called the General Assembly, located

in Raleigh (state capitol)
• Enact statutes: laws that apply statewide
• Also local or specific laws that apply to certain counties or cities
• Legislative oversight: learn how well current laws are working and
whether they need changed
 RESPONSIBILITIES

• They elect members of the University of North Carolina Board

of Governors and state community college system
• Impeach and try judges and members of the Council of State
STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION

• Bicameral legislature
• House of Representatives has 120 members
• Senate has 50 members
• Districts are drawn with relatively equal populations
• Redrawn after each national census (population count)
• 1 term = 2 years for Representatives AND Senators
• Can serve unlimited times
 QUALIFICATIONS
House of Representatives
• At least 21 years old
• Live in district for one year
before election
Senate
• At least 25 years old
• Live in North Carolina at
least 2 years
• Live in district for one year
before election
GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP
House of Representatives
• The house elects a Speaker
who presides over the house
and makes key
appointments
Senate
• Lieutenant governor is the
president of the Senate, but
only votes to break a tie
• The Senate elects a
president pro tempore who
is the leader and makes key
appointments
 WORKING SESSION

• Long Session
• Odd-numbered years meets January to June
• Short Session
• Even-numbered years begins in late May and lasts for at least 6 weeks