U.S. Constitution
VS.
Texas Constitution
U.S. Constitution
has not been
rewritten
state constitutions have
been rewritten several
times
 has strong
separation of powers
& strong executive
(Legislative,
Executive, Judicial)
have weak separation of
powers because of a
division of executive
(governor’s) power among
several other elected
officials.
U.S Constitution is
short - 7,400 words,
with only 27
Amendments
TX. Constitution is very
wordy - 80,000 words long,
over 400 Amendments
U.S. Constitution
May change
through two
methods:
VS.
Texas Constitution
 May change through
one method:
1. Constitutional amendment
1. Constitutional
amendment
2. Judicial
interpretation through
the Supreme Court
Highest law of the
land
 May not make laws that
go against the U.S.
Constitution
U.S. Constitution
VS.
Texas Constitution
 Bicameral Legislative branch (two house congress)
 Vote for/elect representatives
 Limit the power of government
 Three branches of government
 Legislative branch makes the laws
 Judicial branch contains a Supreme Court
 The highest elected leader is in the Executive
branch.
 Individual rights protected in a Bill of Rights
 At one time, slavery was legal under both
constitutions