Which amendment reserves some powers to the states and to the people?

Which amendment reserves some powers to the states and to the people?

• A. Tenth Amendment
• B. Ninth Amendment
• C. Eighth Amendment
• D. Seventh Amendment

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how power is shared between the national government and the states. The Tenth Amendment explicitly says that any powers not given to the federal government, and not forbidden to the states, belong to the states or to the people. That’s why this amendment reserves some powers to the states and to the people, reinforcing federalism. Think of it as a rule that keeps most day-to-day matters—like education, licensing, and local laws—mostly up to state and local governments, unless the Constitution says the federal government can handle them. Other amendments mentioned here deal with different issues: the Ninth Amendment protects rights not listed in the Constitution, the Eighth limits punishments, and the Seventh covers the right to a jury in civil cases.

The idea being tested is how power is shared between the national government and the states. The Tenth Amendment explicitly says that any powers not given to the federal government, and not forbidden to the states, belong to the states or to the people. That’s why this amendment reserves some powers to the states and to the people, reinforcing federalism.

Think of it as a rule that keeps most day-to-day matters—like education, licensing, and local laws—mostly up to state and local governments, unless the Constitution says the federal government can handle them. Other amendments mentioned here deal with different issues: the Ninth Amendment protects rights not listed in the Constitution, the Eighth limits punishments, and the Seventh covers the right to a jury in civil cases.