What is a reserved power?

• A. A Power Reserved to the Federal Government
• B. A Power Shared by Both the National and State Governments
• C. A Power Exercised by the President Unilaterally
• D. A Power Reserved to the States by the Tenth Amendment

Answer: (D)

Reserved powers are powers kept by the states under the Tenth Amendment. The Constitution doesn’t grant these powers to the federal government, so they stay with the states (or the people). This is why things like education policy, licensing, and conducting elections are often state responsibilities—these aren’t listed as federal powers. The idea that a power is reserved to the States by the Tenth Amendment captures this balance. It differs from federal powers (which are specifically granted to the national government), from concurrent powers (which both levels can exercise), and from presidential powers exercised unilaterally (which are actions of the executive branch, not reserved state authority).