1. The California State Constitution V. U.S. Constitution
In 1849, a group of people from California came together in Monterey for the first time
with the aim of setting up a government responsible for preserving law and order. During the
same year in October, an important development took place, the adoption of the California
State Constitution. The constitution remained in place even with the emergence of California as
a state in the year 1850. Today, the constitution remains intact. This constitution holds several
similarities to the United States Constitution. For instance, Article III of the Californian
Constitution divides the states in a similar way the U.S. Constitution does, into the executive,
legislative, and judiciary. On the other hand, there exist significant differences between the two
documents of law.
The Californian Constitution allows governorsto assess, approve, and reject bills. This
meansthe constitution gives the governor power to adjust some of the parts of such bills while
accepting others. On the other hand, the president of the country can take part in changing the
federal laws with the other elected legislators. This forms the basis of law enactment,
amendment, or repulsion in California. Bills must pass in two houses with at least votes that
surpass the simple majority. Bills such as spending and budget bills need a simple majority
while others such as the appropriation of general funds need two thirds of the votes. While bills
in the Californian Constitution pass through the governor, the US constitution involves tabling
of the bills before the president who is supposed to approve them within ten days.
Elections in the Californian Constitution differ with those of the U.S. Constitution. The
president and his vice go through a different of selection as opposed to the governor and his

2. lieutenant governor. The vice president holds likenesses to the lieutenant governor in federal
and state levels respectively. However, according to Article V, the Executive Department, their
election into office varies significantly. In the United States Constitution, the president and his
vice run on a similar ticket and the electoral chose them as a pair. On the other hand, the
governor and his lieutenant go through electioneering separately. Every candidate receives
separate attention and subjected through different electorates.
Election of judiciarymembers under the California Constitution varies from that of the
U.S. Constitution. The fourth article of the Judicial Department allows people to select judges
and limits their term to twelve years. On the other hand, appointments under the U.S.
Constitution stand as presidential duty and depend on the Congress for confirmation. Further,
presidential appointees have the privilege of serving their nation throughout their life. State
officers go through election on a state basis and their misconduct in office can lead to
impeachment. However, such judgment can only result in suspension or complete removal
from office. The impeached person may suffer criminal punishment in accordance to the law.
The U.S. Constitution contains similar clauses providing an opportunity for impeachment of
officers. The only difference between the two, then, lies in the people who preside over the
impeachment processes. In California, the office of the lieutenant governor acts as the one
responsible for this unless the lieutenant has questionable actions. The U.S. constitution, on the
other hand, allows the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice to preside over such matters.