1. North Carolina's Constitution

2. 1776 Constitution By 1776 royal governor was forced from power
Held Constitutional Convention to create their constitution
Three Branch Structure:
Governor, Courts, Legislature

3. Legislature Called General Assembly
2 chamber legislature made up of House of Representatives and Senate
Senate: 50 members 2 year terms
House of Representatives: 120 members 2 year terms

4. Executive
Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Elected for 4 year terms

5. Judicial Supreme court with 7 justices elected to 8 year terms
Court of Appeals with 15 judges elected to 8 year terms
Superior courts, district courts, and administrative office
Elected or appointed by judges

6. Limiting Governor's power
Old government gave governor unlimited power
1776 Constitution gave governor very limited power
Chosen directly by legislature
Did not have veto power
Serve 1 year terms
Ensured that they would never have to submit to tyrant in governor's office again

7. Rights and Responsibilities
Declaration of Rights: document claiming for the people such rights as freedom of the press and freedom of worship
Also established key responsibilities for the state
One section created publicly supported system of education
In 1789 University of North Carolina became first public university in the US
Provided creation of local goverments (cities, towns, counties)

8. Amendment Process Has changed over the years
In most cases it has been by vote of people
Two different methods today
Amendment is proposed (3/5) submitted to voters (majority)
Constitutional Convention proposed (2/3), Constitutional Convention called, voters ratify or reject

9. By Constitutional Convention By Legislature
By 2/3 vote General Assembly can call for a Constitutional Convention
Must specify precise purpose
Call is submitted to voters
If voters vote to hold convention, delegates are elected
Any amendments proposed by convention are submitted to voters for approval or rejection in referendum
By 3/5 vote General Assembly can submit a proposed amendment directly to voters
Voters vote to approve or deny amendment

10. 1868 Constitution
After Civil War Congress required all states that left the union to draft new constitution
Remained mostly the same
Changes included:
No longer needed to own property to vote
Governor's term grew to 4 years
Powers of governor were increased

11. 1971 Constitution
Governor Dan Moore established a commission to make changes
Removed obsolete items and clarified unclear language
Required public school year lengthened from 6 to 9 months
Affected governments ability to tax and raise money

12. Go to the North Carolina State Constitution page on the North Carolina General Assembly's Web site.
Click on link to view the Declaration of Rights.
How many Sections does the Declaration of Rights have?
Select three of the Sections that include rights that are important to you. Rewrite these three Sections in your own words and give an example of how it might affect you.