Branch Breakdown
Arizona’s structure is divided into these three specific branches.
What are the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches?
As the head of the Executive branch, this person is responsible for overseeing state agencies and making sure laws are enforced.
Who is the Governor?
The Governor can use this power to cancel a bill passed by the Legislature if they don't agree with it.
What is a Veto?
According to the U.S. Constitution, any powers not given to the Federal government are reserved for this level of government.
What is the State Government?
Arizona became the 48th state in the Union on February 14th of this year
What is 1912?
Arizona’s Legislature is unique because its regular sessions only last for this many days each year.
What is 100 days?
While the Legislature makes laws, in Arizona they have the specific job of getting this "supermajority" vote if they want to raise taxes.
What is a Two-Thirds (2/3) majority?
If the Governor vetoes a bill, the Legislature can use this "power move" to pass the law anyway, though it requires a high number of votes.
What is a Veto Override?
Along with California and Oklahoma, Arizona is unique because it is one of only three states with the largest of this specific population.
What is Native American?
Historically, Arizona’s economy was built on these "5 Cs": Copper, Cattle, Cotton, Citrus, and this.
What is Climate?
This branch is responsible for interpreting laws and is headed by the Arizona Supreme Court.
What is the Judicial Branch?
Unique feature of the AZ State Government in which citizens can propose initiatives, reject laws and recall elected officials.
What is Strong Direct Democracy?
The Judicial branch has the power to declare a law passed by the Legislature unconstitutional, making it null and void.
What is Judicial Review?
Name these three specific groups as some of the well-known tribes that make up Arizona’s significant Native American population.
Who are the Navajo Nation, Apache, and Hopi?
Arizona is world-famous for this natural wonder, which also serves as the state’s official nickname.
What is the Grand Canyon State?
This branch carries out and enforces laws, led by the Governor and other elected officials.
What is the Executive Branch?
This is the specific power Arizona citizens have to reject or veto a law that the legislature already passed.
What is a Referendum?
According to the State Constitution, the Arizona government has the power to operate and oversee these local entities, like Maricopa or Pima.
What are Counties/ Local Governments?
Tribal governments are considered these types of "entities," meaning they have the right to govern themselves.
What are Sovereign Entities?
In 1854, the U.S. bought the southern part of Arizona from this country to help build a railroad.
What is Mexico?
These sovereign entities have the power to govern themselves and make their own laws.
What are Tribal Governments?
In Arizona’s system of direct democracy, citizens have the job of holding elected officials accountable by using this process to remove them from office before their term is up.
What is a Recall?
This is the general term for the system where each branch "monitors and limits" the powers of the others.
What are Checks and Balances?
When conflicts arise between state and tribal land use, the relationship is governed by a mix of state, tribal, and this highest level of law.
What is Federal Law?
Before Phoenix became the permanent capital, this northern mountain town served as the first capital of the Arizona Territory in 1864.
What is Prescott?