Questions tagged [us-state-laws]
Questions related to any laws enacted by any of the 50 states in the United States. Use the [united-states] tag alongside this.
88
questions
2
votes
1answer
94 views
Can Michigan's attorney general take legal action against Trump?
I read from a CNBC news article how Michigan’s attorney general said Trump has a “legal responsibility,” under state law, to wear a mask as a precauion when visiting factories. Trump refuses to wear a ...
3
votes
1answer
170 views
How can a Governor enforce “Shelter in Place Orders” if cities or States' Attorneys refuse to enforce them?
I've seen reports of state's attorneys and cities refusing to enforce state Stay at Home orders. If a governor was so inclined, are there actions they could take against the state's attorneys and ...
4
votes
1answer
182 views
Why are some Covid-19 tests excluded in some US states?
For example, the LabCorp COVID-19 RT-PCR has been EUA-approved by the FDA, but it lists as exclusion criteria the following:
Exclusion:
• Live in MD, NJ, NY or RI
meaning that people who live ...
5
votes
1answer
113 views
In Massachusetts, if a US Senator resigns midterm, how is their replacement selected?
Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic Senator from Massachusetts, is generally considered a top contender to be Joe Biden's running mate. If she was elected Vice President, she would have to resign her ...
52
votes
7answers
11k views
In most U.S. states, female genital mutilation is illegal. So why is male circumcision legal?
Hello new users from around the Stack Exchange Network
We are aware that this question is about a very emotionally laden topic. So we would like to make sure you are aware of the purpose of ...
1
vote
1answer
183 views
Does the US government have any plan to punish Equifax for failure to stop Chinese breach?
I read about how Equifax was hacked by Chinese hackers and stole the data of over 146 million Americans, a hack that was partially only possible because Equifax made simple security mistakes like ...
27
votes
2answers
5k views
What would happen if every state had a law requiring it hold the nations first primary?
Quoting https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/11/politics/iowa-new-hampshire-primary-monopoly/index.html:
The vote-counting meltdown in Iowa's antiquated and haphazard caucus system -- a process used partly ...
3
votes
0answers
132 views
How do Oregon's mayoral elections work?
I'm writing an RPG campaign that takes place in a city of Oregon. However, taking a look in lists of mayors of some cities, I found that some mayors have mandates of only one year, despite others ...
1
vote
0answers
66 views
Can US States regulate their citizens’ actions in other states? [duplicate]
I believe that the US government holds that it can regulate its citizens’ actions beyond its borders. Is it possible for a US state to do similarly? For example, say that SCOTUS overturned Roe v Wade ...
3
votes
1answer
77 views
Does the electoral college (or a similar system) apply to US governor elections?
I'm following the live results of the Kentucky and Mississippi elections for governor etc, and I notice that while the Republican nominee has won the majority of the precincts, what they're reporting ...
2
votes
1answer
103 views
Can special prosecutor Dan Webb charge Jussie Smollet? [closed]
In a case that made political headlines, actor Jussie Smollett was charged with making false statements to Chicago police about a supposed hate crime he had experienced. But then the Illinois State ...
5
votes
3answers
364 views
In terms of US politics, has protecting taxicab operations from competition been a left-wing policy?
Because of the limited space available, the title could be raising an unanswerable question. Given changes over time and the variety of viewpoints within the left wing, the answer could depend on ...
10
votes
1answer
253 views
Which US states prohibit vote trading by elected officials?
Apparently vote trading is illegal in California when done by elected officials:
Recent amendments to the Penal Code extended the prohibition to local officials:
Any member of the ...
4
votes
2answers
116 views
Which US state constitutions don't have a legislative privilege (“speech or debate”) clause?
I read that
The United States Constitution and forty-three state constitutions
include a Speech or Debate Clause granting legislators a legal privilege for
their legislative work.
Which US ...
2
votes
2answers
361 views
Can a state judge throw the U.S. President in jail for contempt of court?
In USA there is this concept or "rule of law" that includes the principle that no one is above the law.
About this the book "A Companion to the US Constitution and Its Amendments" (by John R. Vile) ...
-8
votes
3answers
240 views
Why states don't charge head taxes to reduce poverty? [closed]
Under current system, in most democracy, all people have a right to move anywhere.
People in California have a right to move to Texas and via versa.
We know that poor people are more likely to ...
1
vote
2answers
153 views
When I register for voting in Massachusets with a telephone number on the “Do Not Call” registry, do I have to check the “unlisted phone number” box?
Background
In March 2003, the Do Not Call registry was signed into law by president George W. Bush. This law allowed the FTC to create a voluntary registry of phone numbers whereby some entities ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
How many US states still prohibit transportation of alcohol across state lines without a license, even for personal use?
Apparently Ohio still prohibits transportation of alcohol (even for personal use) across its state lines, without a license ("H permit"), while Pennsylvania legalized it in 2015/2016 and Iowa was ...
8
votes
3answers
470 views
Is the President of the United States bound by state laws?
The state of New York is currently in the process of passing a law allowing Congress to access the state tax returns of elected officials and top appointed officials. This is seen as a potential "end-...
4
votes
1answer
241 views
Oregon household medical visits to familes with newborn children. Voluntary or mandatory?
Oregon's SB 526 has gained much controversy. The bill, if passed, is supposed to implement home visits by nurses/other-medical-professionals to families with newborn children. According to Patrick ...
29
votes
4answers
11k views
Why are Kinder Surprise Eggs illegal in the USA?
In the USA, Kinder Surprise Eggs are banned by the government. What is the reason?
10
votes
3answers
2k views
Why are drinking laws so strict in the USA?
In the USA, alcohol laws are very strict and specific, while in most other parts of the world they are very lax. What's the reason?
4
votes
2answers
384 views
Can a city in Colorado decide to legalize more drugs?
Colorado and many other states legalize weed.
I wonder, just like some states in the United States can legalize weed, can some cities in those states decide to legalize other drugs too?
4
votes
2answers
367 views
Can the US states veto Congress legislation?
As said in the title:
Can the US states veto laws approved by the Congress?
For instance, the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 while it gave 90% of the funding from a Highway Trust Fund, however, ...
-1
votes
1answer
153 views
Can the Virginia State Government have a public referendum on 3rd trimester abortion: simply yea or nay?
Can the Va voters vote "yea"or "nay" to 3rd trimester abortion? Whether this would be binding or non-binding. Thanks
13
votes
4answers
3k views
Can state governments be overthrown without national government involvement?
It is my understanding that the state and national government of the United States are separate entities (that's what federalism is, combining smaller states into a larger one).
Could unhappy ...
14
votes
1answer
789 views
Have congressional Republicans taken a position on whether they will give “consent” to the United States Climate Alliance as an interstate compact?
The United States Climate Alliance is an effort by state governments to support the Paris Climate Accord and help reduce emissions in the United States. There is however a constitutional problem with ...
6
votes
2answers
284 views
How do felony disenfranchisement laws differ state by state?
Why is it that for felony disenfranchisement only certain rights seem to be lost and they differ state by state.
Such as voting, jury duty, weapons. But some rights are never affected such as ...
4
votes
2answers
290 views
If a law is found to be unconstitutional; can an amendment to the state constitution matter?
In the general sense, let's say a state law is passed, and the courts decide that the law is unconstitutional because the United States constitution prohibits such laws. Can a state amend its own ...
2
votes
2answers
206 views
Can a person be elected to a Minnesota state office if there are fewer votes for them than blank votes?
On my ballot for Minnesota are a lot of state-level positions (judges, a representative, county sheriff) where the incumbent is running unopposed. If there are fewer votes for them than blank votes, ...
3
votes
0answers
2k views
Why doesn't the USA split into “Divided States of America” to achieve political autonomy? [closed]
While the disagreements between political parties have naturally always been present in the USA, their differences were historically nuanced, and Representatives of both parties regularly found common ...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
Why did Mississipi ratify the 13th Amendment so late?
I read recently - to my surprise - that Mississippi ratified the 13th Amendment to abolish involuntary servitude and slavery in 2013. In fact, there was a move to ratify it in 1995, but the paperwork ...
38
votes
8answers
16k views
Why is bestiality illegal in the United States?
This is a question I have wondered more than once while browsing statute. Many states have laws against bestiality. For the life of me, I have never heard of this practice actually occurring and I ...
6
votes
2answers
963 views
How would the United States of America grant Puerto Rico statehood?
What would need to happen for Puerto Rico to be the 51st State of the U.S.A.?
Statehood movement in Puerto Rico.
After their last hurricane how would the help from the US differ if they were a ...
3
votes
3answers
469 views
Why does each US state handle car registrations and driver licensing separately rather than delegating it to the federal government?
Despite the high level of economic integration between US states, for some reason all of them insist on having their own rules for driver licensing and car registration. When moving to a different ...
3
votes
1answer
158 views
To what extent does the Governor of a US State have official interactions with Senate and House members from that state?
Naturally, the various politicians from a State have some interaction with one another for the sake of furthering their State's interests. They probably coordinate even more commonly if they are from ...
-4
votes
1answer
268 views
Which states do not recognize or have not designated a special day of observance for Juneteenth Independence Day?
Which states do not recognize or have not designated a special day of observance for Juneteenth Independence Day?
3
votes
2answers
281 views
What prevents states and counties in the US from combining drivers license and registration data?
When stopped for a traffic infraction in the United States most (all?) officers ask for license and registration. They are legally allowed to demand this information on request as a condition of ...
5
votes
1answer
221 views
What happens to existing state laws if a state splits (United States)
Brought to mind by this question regarding the vote for splitting of California into three states.
What happens to existing California state laws if it is split into three states? Does each state ...
2
votes
1answer
123 views
Can I vote for candidates from a different district in the New Jersey democrat primaries?
New Jersey is having democrat primary voting tomorrow. Can I only vote for the candidates that live in my district?
For example, if I live in District 1, can I only vote for candidates in District ...
16
votes
3answers
9k views
What are the powers of mayors in the US?
I know very little about US government and state system and only in general.
I heard that, for example, US town mayor also rules town police and can change taxes. Is it true? The fact about ruling ...
9
votes
1answer
972 views
What are the arguments for and against Statutes of Limitations?
I was reading this article earlier today about the alleged Golden State Killer which mentioned that the State of California passed a law a few years ago which eliminated the Statute of Limitations for ...
1
vote
3answers
1k views
Does separation of church and state in the US apply in public schools?
This is specific to holidays that are celebrated by public schools where only one religion is represented, i.e. Easter, Christmas, etc.
Are public schools supposed to be a neutral ground when it ...
0
votes
3answers
699 views
What could be done to US states that openly allow non-citizens to vote?
I saw this question about what states that don't use voter ID do to ensure non-citizens don't vote, and the answer seems to be little, if anything. Given the current political climate (where some ...
4
votes
1answer
258 views
What are the legal/political uses of the American Civil War as a precedent?
I was reading an article about attorney general Jeff Sessions addressing the state of California regarding the state's recent laws on immigration. In summary, these laws make it illegal for a private ...
25
votes
2answers
7k views
Why do so many US States have a relaxed vehicle inspection policy?
According to Wikipedia, many US states have a relaxed policy for car inspection regulations:
Maryland requires an inspection prior to registration or transfer of
ownership only. Several states ...
0
votes
1answer
336 views
Gerrymandering Information [duplicate]
Periodically, there are news stories about gerrymandering. There are cases currently before as well as cases recently decided by the Supreme Court. There's also the issue of the party in power ...
5
votes
3answers
678 views
In U.S. , what happens when a party doesn't endorse first-term president as nominee in the next election?
Let's assume that a president of U.S. who has been elected for the first term isn't nominated by his own party in the second term then what will happen?
Has this happened before in U.S. elections?
3
votes
1answer
242 views
What motivation, if any, was given for Alabama's write-in vote law?
In 2016, Alabama passed a law stating that write in ballots are not to be counted unless the total number of write-in votes is greater than the difference between the two leading candidates, and not ...
36
votes
4answers
7k views
In the US, what is the role of and relationship between federal law and state law?
(This is an attempt at a canonical question about an important distinction in US law and politics that is different than many other countries. It was suggested by this comment on another question. I'm ...
