Quiz questions for presentation 13 – Arizona Executive Branch
Multiple Choice
1. Certification of election returns for state officials is determined by
a. county election boards
b. the Secretary of State
c. a legislative voting committee
d. the Credentials Committee of the Supreme Court
Answer B – The Secretary of state is responsible for verifying candidates and ballot
propositions and certifying elections.
2. The most politically significant power of the governor is the
a. veto power
b. appointment power
c. pardoning power
d. foreign affairs power
Answer A – The power of the veto gives the governor the ability to influence legislation.
3. The elected official immediately in line to succeed to the governorship is
a. State Treasurer
b. Lieutenant Governor
c. Attorney General
d. Secretary of State
Answer D – The voters have repeatedly rejected proposals to create a Lieutenant
Governor position, retaining the Secretary of State’s position to succeed the governor.
4. Which of the following is NOT an elected position within the executive branch in
Arizona?
a. Mining Inspector
b. State Treasurer
c. State Auditor
d. Superintendent of Public Instruction
Answer C – Only the auditor is an appointed position, all the rest have independent
power bases.
5. The Corporation Commission is responsible for all of the following EXCEPT
a. Ensuring corporations follow ethical practices
b. Regulating Utilities
c. Determining cable rates
d. Regulating stocks in Arizona companies
Answer A – The corporation commission certifies corporations, which means they meet a
minimal legal standard. It does not police business practices.
Essay Question
Discuss the consequences of Arizona having power divided with a plural executive
branch.
Discussion Questions
Lieutenant Governor
In the 2010 election, voters narrowly defeated an effort by the legislature to create a
Lieutenant Governor position that would run on a shared ticket with the Governor. Given
that the Secretary of State assumed the governor’s office three times in the last 20 years,
do you think renaming that office and running on a shared ticket is a good idea?
Corporation Commission
The Corporation Commission gives permission for cable companies and utilities to raise
rates or not. What is the impact of this office on business in Arizona? Has it protected
consumers or the industry? Or, has it reached a middle ground between these competing
interests?
Links
AZ Redistricting Commission
http://www.azredistricting.org/
Arizona Corporation Commission
http://www.cc.state.az.us/