What are reserved powers?

Reserved powers refer specifically to those powers that are not granted to the federal government by the Constitution and are not prohibited to the states. Instead, these powers are reserved for the states themselves, as outlined in the Tenth Amendment. This amendment clearly states that any powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved for the states or to the people.

This concept is essential to understanding the division of power in the federal system, which emphasizes a balance between national and state authority. Examples of reserved powers include regulating education, conducting elections, and establishing local governments. These powers allow states to operate independently and address local needs, reflecting the principles of federalism that underpin American governance.