What does the Tenth Amendment stipulate about powers not delegated to the United States?

The Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution clearly delineates the distribution of power between the federal government and the states. It states that any powers not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people. This principle is foundational in maintaining a balance of power and ensuring that states retain authority over matters that are not expressly mentioned in the Constitution.

This amendment emphasizes the idea of federalism, which is the system of governance where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units—in this case, the states. By reserving these powers to the states or the people, the Tenth Amendment protects the rights of states to legislate on various issues independently of the federal government, thereby enhancing local governance and reflecting the diverse needs and preferences of different regions.

The other options do not align with the principles established by the Tenth Amendment. For example, the notion that powers are automatically given to the federal government contradicts the amendment’s intent to limit federal authority and affirm state powers. Similarly, the idea that these powers are invalid or must be voted on by Congress misinterprets the nature of ungranted powers, which are meant to be preserved at the state and local levels rather than negated or made contingent upon federal