California POST Training Practice Test

What does the Fourteenth Amendment not allow states to do?

1. Limit privileges or immunities of US citizens

2. Impose federal income taxes

3. Change voting eligibility without federal approval

4. Establish their own currency

The correct answer is: Limit privileges or immunities of US citizens

The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution specifically addresses citizenship rights and equal protection under the law. One of its key components is the Privileges or Immunities Clause, which is designed to protect the rights of citizens from being infringed upon by state laws. Therefore, the amendment does not allow states to limit the privileges or immunities of US citizens. The limitation on state authority is intended to ensure that all citizens enjoy the same rights and protections, thereby preventing states from enacting discriminatory laws that could undermine the federal guarantee of equal protection. In this context, any attempt by a state to restrict the basic rights afforded to citizens would be in direct conflict with the provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment. Other options, like imposing federal income taxes or changing voting eligibility, either fall under federal jurisdiction or require adherence to federal standards and laws, which are not directly addressed by the Fourteenth Amendment. Additionally, the establishment of currency is a power reserved for the federal government, as dictated by the Constitution. Therefore, those matters do not speak to the direct limitations placed on states by the Fourteenth Amendment regarding the rights of citizens.