Nevada History and Constitution Assignment

I. Nevada State History Read pages 134-159 beginning with “The Second Constitutional Convention” and answer the following questions: 1. In 1864, the idea of Nevada officially becoming a state was part of a national plan to secure more Republican votes for which presidential candidate? It was for President Lincoln 2. What five instructions were contained in the Enabling Act that was issued before Nevada could receive final admission to statehood? Must be Republic in nature by not being against the Constitution and the DOI, No slavery or servitude in the state, the convention must disclaim rights to unappopriated public land in Nevada, land owned by US citizens outside of Nevada could not be discriminated against in taxing, no taxation of federal property 3. At the federal level, who was allowed to examine the Nevada State Constitution after it was ratified by its people and decide whether or not it had complied with the instructions of the Enabling Act as set forth by Congress? The President 4. Who was the president of the Nevada Constitutional Convention of 1864? J. Neely Johnson 5. How did the delegates handle the issue of taxing mining when writing the Constitution? It changed the wording so that it read all property excepting mines and mining claims the proceeds shall be taxed which has led to debate and inconclusive wording 6. What were some of the objections to statehood? That the cost would be too great and that mining would soon dissipate leaving the cost to be left to agriculture 7. How many days were the delegates in session to complete the Nevada Constitution? 21 days 8. How did Governor Nye send the Nevada Constitution to the president? One by overland one by sea mail 9. What was the third way it was sent and how much did it cost? Telegraph and that took 4303.27 10.When was Nevada officially granted statehood, and what is its number in the order of statehood? On October 31, 1864 and it became the 36th state to the union 11.In the November 1864 election, which presidential candidate won the electoral vote from Nevada? Lincoln 12.Who were the first two senators elected for Nevada? William Steward and James W. Nye 13.Why is Nevada nicknamed, the “Battle-born State”? It entered the Union while the Civil War raged and it other problems 14.What additional territories did Nevada gain? Arizona, Rio Virgin county from Utah, Pah-Ute County, Western half of lots of counties in Utah, 15.Why did the people wait so long to build a capital building in Carson City? The state capital had moved and the territory was applying for statehood at the same time. 16.Instead of stating that the Nevada boundary is the eastern boundary of California, how did the Nevada Organic Act designate the boundary? the boundary between California and the proposed territory would be the “dividing ridge separating the waters of Carson Valley from those that fl ow into the Pacifi c,” or the crest of the Sierra Nevada. 17.In what years did the population of Nevada decrease? 1890-1900 18.How many counties had been designated in Nevada when it became a state? 11 19.How did mining affect county seat status? It caused a couple of county seats to move places because different mining places boomed 20.How many amendments to the US Constitution have been ratified by Nevada? 15 were ratified II. Nevada State Government: 1. What are the three branches of the Nevada Government? Executive, Judiciary, and Legislature 2. Identify which levels of government have an executive branch. All levels have an executive branch, local, federal, state 3. What would constitute other forms of local government? School districts, general improvement districts, various special and local improvement districts 4. List six Nevada Government Constitutional officers. Governor, Lietuent gov, Sec of State, state treasurer, state controller, attorney general 5. How long are their terms? 4 years 6. What are some examples of Executive Branch Departments? Taxing, cultural affairs, admin, motor vehicles. ect 7. What two state entities have separate elected boards? State Board of Education, and Nevada system of higher Edu board of regents, 8. What authority does the Governor have in the state of Nevada? Appointing authority, veto powers, and special sessions 9. For lawmaking purposes, how are counties grouped? Population 10.Who sets the structure and power of City Councils? Legislature 11.The Nevada law provides for the formation of what types of towns? Two types of unincorporated towns, the town board form of Government and towns formed under the unincorporated town government law 12.List three other forms of local government in Nevada. General improvement districts, special improvements districts, local improvement districts, tourism districts, school districts III. Nevada Judiciary and read about the role of the Nevada Judiciary. Answer the following questions to help you prepare for the exam. 1. What is the purpose of the Nevada Judiciary? Interpets the laws and provides an unbiased check to the Executive branch, impartial, efficient and accessible dispute resolution in legal mattes 2. Which courts handle violations of traffic and misdemeanor ordinances? Municipal Courts within city limits, and Justice courts 3. What do justice courts handle? The Justice Courts handle misdemeanor crime and traffic matters, small claims disputes, evictions, and other civil matters less than $15,000. 4. How do the courts get their funding? Municpal Courts: city and funds collected by the court goes to the general fund Justice Courts: funded by the County and the fund collected by the courts goes to the respective counties for disimburstment District courts: funding is split between the county and the state 5. What is the purpose of District Courts? The District Courts have general jurisdiction over all legal disputes. These are the courts where criminal, civil, family, and juvenile matters are generally resolved through arbitration, mediation, and bench or jury trials. The judges also hear appeals from Justice and Municipal Court cases. The funding for District Courts is split between the state and counties. District Court judges' salaries are paid by the state while the county pays for support staff and court facilities. The 17 county courts in Nevada are divided into 11 Judicial Districts presided over by 82 judges. 6. What is the primary responsibility of the Nevada Supreme Court? It is the highest courts and is to review and rule on appeals from District courts 7. How many justices comprise the Nevada Supreme Court? 7 justices IV. Nevada Supreme Court and read the overview of the Appellate courts. Answer the following questions: 1. What is the main constitutional function of the Nevada Supreme Court? What I said previously 2. How and why does the Nevada Supreme Court use a three-justice panel? One panel is in Las Vegas and the other is in Carson city, and it was done in an effort to dispose of cases quicker since it has to consider all cases filed. 3. How many justices sat on the bench from 1864-1967? 3 4. When was the number of justices increased to seven? 1997 5. How long is the elected term for a justice to serve on the Nevada Supreme Court? 6 years terms 6. Who is designated the Chief Justice? The most Senior justice in commission and it is for 2 years 7. What is the Nevada Court of Appeals and when did it begin hearing cases? 3 judged court that where the supreme courts assign what cases it wants to hear and started to hear cases in Jan 2015 V. Nevada Government and explore the links that are provided for the state of Nevada. Answer the following questions: 1. Who is the governor of Nevada? Steve Sisolak 2. What are some services listed under Attorney General? Fraud and scams, Victim services, Open government, and protecting your rights, 3. Under the Emergency Management Agency link, what are some of the threats and hazards listed for Nevada? Active shooter, bioterroism, cybersecurity, earthquake, extreme heat, flood, tornados, wildland fires many others 4. Under the Consumer Protection Offices, what are some of the important services they perform? They might mediate complaints, conduct investigations, prosecute offenders of consumer laws, license and regulate professional service providers, provide educational materials and advocate for consumer rights 5. Under the Elections Office, what ways are available to register to vote? Online, military or overseas voting, going to the DMV, Voter registration form, Same day registration, and Preregristation for 17 year olds 6. Under the Motor Vehicle Offices, what services are available online? Make appointments, anything related to Drivers licenses and ID cards, Vehicles stuff, verifying business lisemces about things related to cars. 7. Under Travel and Tourism, what is the Cowboy Corridor? It’s a 400 mile stretch of road on I- 80 and it is full of lots of cowboy related things and sites for a road trip 8. When you click on Social Services, what governmental department’s website appears? The department of health and Human services VI. State and Local Government Directory For your information and for any governmental needs or questions that you might have, look at the following directory: 1. What year was the directory published? 2020 2. In the directory, what information is included under the title of each office? (For instance, what is listed after the title, “Office of the Governor” or “Office of Secretary of State”?)