What does the term "state sovereignty" mean?

The term "state sovereignty" refers to the authority of states to govern themselves and make laws independently without federal intervention. This concept emphasizes that states have the power to legislate on a range of issues, following their own priorities and interpretations of the law. It highlights the distinction between state and federal powers outlined in the Constitution, particularly the Tenth Amendment, which reserves to the states all powers not specifically granted to the federal government.

Option A captures this definition accurately by stating that states can legislate without federal oversight, demonstrating their autonomy within the federal system. State sovereignty allows states to address local concerns in ways that might differ from national policies, thus facilitating a degree of experimentation in governance.

Other choices, while touching on related concepts, do not encapsulate the full essence of state sovereignty. The influence of states on federal policies, or the power federal institutions hold over state laws, diverges from the core idea of state sovereignty. Similarly, the voting rights of citizens, while crucial to the democratic process, do not directly refer to the authority of the state itself.