Ninth Amendment reserves rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution to whom?

Ninth Amendment reserves rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution to whom?

• A. The States
• B. The Federal Government
• C. The Supreme Court
• D. The People

Answer: (D)

The point being tested is that unlisted rights belong to the people. The Ninth Amendment makes clear that counting certain rights in the Constitution doesn’t mean other rights don’t exist; those not specifically mentioned still reside with the people. So, the rights referred to by this amendment are held by the People, not by the States, the Federal Government, or the Supreme Court. This guards against the idea that only enumerated rights exist and reinforces that individuals retain broad protections beyond what’s written.

The point being tested is that unlisted rights belong to the people. The Ninth Amendment makes clear that counting certain rights in the Constitution doesn’t mean other rights don’t exist; those not specifically mentioned still reside with the people. So, the rights referred to by this amendment are held by the People, not by the States, the Federal Government, or the Supreme Court. This guards against the idea that only enumerated rights exist and reinforces that individuals retain broad protections beyond what’s written.