U.S. History STAAR ( State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) Practice Test

Which of the following is a power reserved for the state governments?

1. Printing money

2. Conducting elections

3. Regulating foreign trade

4. Declaring war

The correct answer is: Conducting elections

Conducting elections is a power reserved for state governments because the U.S. Constitution grants states the authority to regulate the administration of elections within their borders. This includes the ability to determine how elections are run, the management of voting procedures, and the establishment of voting districts. Each state has its own laws regarding the election process, reflecting the principle of federalism, where power and decision-making are distributed between the national and state governments. In contrast, powering such as printing money, regulating foreign trade, and declaring war are powers specifically designated to the federal government. Printing money is the responsibility of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve. Regulating foreign trade falls under the jurisdiction of Congress, which has the authority to manage international commerce. Declaring war is also a federal power, as the Constitution grants that authority primarily to Congress.