Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

Which governmental structure does not apply in the chartering of local governments?

1. They simply create a constitution

2. They receive authorization from state governments

3. Application to the federal government

4. Authorization by county divisions

The correct answer is: They simply create a constitution

The structure that does not apply in the chartering of local governments is that they simply create a constitution. Local governments do not independently establish a constitution like states or the federal government. Instead, they operate under state constitutions and laws, which provide the framework and authority for local governance. Local governments often have the power to write their own charters, which can be thought of as fundamental governing documents, but these charters are not constitutions in the formal sense. Additionally, local government creation and structure are regulated by higher governmental authority, making the role of state governments fundamental in their establishment. The federal government is not involved in chartering local governments, and while local governments might interact with county divisions, they do so as subordinate entities under the authority granted by the state.