What was the main outcome of South Dakota v. Dole?

Study for the AP Government and Politics Federalism Test. Analyze questions with hints and explanations. Ace your exam with our resources!

The main outcome of South Dakota v. Dole established that Congress has the authority to impose conditions on federal funding to states. In this specific case, the Supreme Court upheld the federal government’s decision to withhold a percentage of federal highway funds from states that did not raise their legal drinking age to 21. This ruling affirmed that while states have the right to set their own laws, they cannot disregard federal conditions attached to financial support if they wish to accept those funds.

The decision highlighted the balance of power between state and federal government, illustrating how the federal government can incentivize states to comply with national standards without directly mandating state law changes. This case is significant in understanding the influence of federal funding as a tool to promote policy objectives at the state level while still respecting the states' rights to legislate independently.

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