Final answer:
State constitutions are subordinate to the US Constitution and must align with its principles and laws. The US Constitution is the supreme law, guiding the federal structure and function, while state constitutions provide more detailed governance frameworks for state and local levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
State constitutions are subordinate to the US Constitution.
- The US Constitution is considered the supreme law of the land, as stated in Article VI, and it provides the fundamental framework for governance in the United States. State constitutions, while they define the structure, roles, and financing of state and local governments, must not conflict with the US Constitution or federal laws that are made in accordance with it.
- While state constitutions are often more detailed and frequently amended, it is the brevity and enduring principles of the US Constitution that have allowed it to function as a cornerstone of American democracy for over two centuries, as mentioned in the introduction. The state of Texas, for example, has had a total of seven constitutions, with its current constitution being heavily amended with 491 amendments from its adoption in 1876 until 2015.