North Carolina Citizenship

North Carolina Citizenship

Rights of Citizens

All citizens of North Carolina and the United States enjoy certain rights and freedoms. These rights are guaranteed by the United States Constitution and North Carolina’s constitution. They include freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion. Citizens who are accused of a crime also have the right to a fair trial.

Citizens have the right to vote if they are 18 years old or older. Citizens who meet certain requirements may also run for public office, or an elected or appointed job in government.

Open Ended

List some of the rights of citizens protected by the US and NC Constitutions.

Rights cannot be taken away because of a person’s religion, race, or gender. However, certain rights can be taken away if a person is found guilty of certain crimes. For example, a person who is guilty of serious crimes can lose the right to vote. The government can also place certain limits on the rights of citizens. For example, citizens must be 18 years old or older to vote, and a person must be at least 35 years old to run for President.

Multiple Select

Choose two reasons rights can be limited or taken away.

• Not agreeing with the government

• Being found guilty of a serious crime

• Race, gender, or religion

• Be under the age of 18

Responsibilities of Citizens

In addition to rights, citizens have responsibilities, or duties. With the right to vote comes the responsibility of voting. In a democracy it is important for every citizen to vote in all elections. Every state has laws and rules that say when and how a citizen registers, or signs up to vote.

With rights such as freedom of speech comes the responsibility of being an informed citizen. It is important for citizens to learn about the people who are running for public office and what they stand for.

Informed citizens understand the issues and problems that their community, state, and nation face. An informed citizen is more likely to understand why certain things happen and is better able to see other people’s points of view.

Citizens have other duties such as paying taxes, obeying laws, and serving on a jury when asked. A jury is a group of citizens who decide which side in a dispute is following the law, or whether a person accused of a crime is guilty.

Open Ended

List 3 responsibilities of citizens.

Civic Affairs

Many North Carolinians take an active part in state and national government. One way they do this is by making their opinions on issues known. They attend government meetings or contact elected officials by mail, e-mail, or phone.

Citizens can also take part in government by joining a political party. A political party is a group that tries to elect officials who share the group’s beliefs and ideas.

Most voters in North Carolina and the United States are members of the Republican or theDemocratic party. Voters can also register with other parties or as independents. Independents are not connected to any political party.

North Carolinians can also take part in political campaigns. They may help deliver information about candidates or issues. A candidate is a person who runs for public office. Some citizens help with elections. They may provide transportation to voting places for citizens who cannot drive. Others help voters use voting machines.

Open Ended

Explain how the terms political party and candidate are related.

Open Ended

How are the rights and responsibilities of citizens related?

Volunteers

North Carolinians can also help organizations and other people in their community. Many work as volunteers. A volunteer is someone who chooses to work without pay.

Open Ended

Write a definition for volunteer in your own words.

There are many ways to volunteer in North Carolina. Some school volunteers read books to younger children or help them with schoolwork. Others spend several hours each week helping at the local library or at an animal shelter.

Some volunteer activities help people in need. Volunteers may collect toys, clothes, or school supplies for families who cannot afford them. Volunteers also collect cans of food and take them to local food banks. Some deliver meals to the elderly or people with medical problems.

Volunteers in North Carolina also work to improve the environment and protect wildlife. For example, volunteers at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, on Topsail Island, help care for sick and injured sea turtles. After the sea turtles are well, volunteers help release them back into the wild.

Open Ended

Why do you think volunteers are important to communities?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a right of citizens?

• being informed

• volunteering

• having access to a fair trial

• paying taxes

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a responsibility of citizens?

• voting in elections

• freedom of speech

• having access to a fair trial

• freedom of religion