Which statement about the U.S. Constitution and the Florida Constitution is most accurate?

• A. The U.S. Constitution applies only to the federal government
• B. The Florida Constitution provides rights and government structure for Florida only
• C. The U.S. Constitution and the Florida Constitution are identical in scope
• D. The U.S. Constitution establishes national government and rights; the Florida Constitution establishes Florida's state government and rights; both provide the legal framework for governance and rights

Answer: (D)

Think about how governance operates at different levels. The national Constitution creates the federal government and protects fundamental rights that apply to the entire country. The Florida Constitution does the same work for Florida, establishing the state’s own government structure and protecting rights for Florida residents. Together, they provide the legal framework for how both levels of government function and what rights people have. Federal law can preempt state law when there’s a conflict, but each constitution sets up its own realm of authority. Other statements miss this relationship or scope: the federal constitution isn’t limited to the federal government only, Florida’s constitution isn’t meant to be identical to the national one, and the two are not the same document.