Which amendment reserves rights to the states?

• A. Fourth Amendment
• B. First Amendment
• C. Sixth Amendment
• D. Tenth Amendment

Answer: (D)

In a federal system, powers not given to the national government by the Constitution belong to the states or to the people. The amendment that explicitly codifies this division states that any powers not delegated to the United States nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or to the people. This is the principle of reserved powers for the states.

That makes it the right choice because it directly addresses how power is distributed between the national and state governments. The other amendments deal with specific rights or protections (such as protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, freedoms of expression and religion, or the right to a fair trial) rather than the division of power between levels of government.