Article [IX] (Amendment 9 – Unenumerated Rights): “The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
This amendment acknowledges the fact that the people have many rights beyond those specified in the Constitution. “Whatever is not specifically prohibited, is authorized.” It’s designed to prevent the Federal government from banning untold numbers of activities that are not crimes under law.
Article [X] (Amendment 10 – Reserved Powers):
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
This one is similar to the Ninth in that the government agrees that the several states can regulate certain activities within their borders that are not part of the federal government’s own powers. Examples of this are the laws within each state that regulate commerce, sales and income taxes, rules about fish and game, and voting in elections.
You can read this story + 2 more free this month
This story is on us. Create a free account to keep reading.