The U.S. Constitution

Popular Sovereignty

Government can govern only with the consent of the governed; sovereign people created the constitution and the government

Limited Government

Government may do only those things that the people have given it the power to do; the government and its officers are always subject to the law

Separation of Powers

The constitution distributes the powers of the National Government among Congress, the President, and the courts; used to limit the powers of the government and prevent tyranny

Checks and Balances

Each branch of government was subject to a number of constitutional restraints by the other branches; what each branch can and cannot do

Judicial Review

Power of the court to determine the constitutionality of a government action

Federalism

The division of political power among a central government and several regional governments; compromise between a strict central government and a loose confederation

Powers Delegated to the National Government

Declare war

Powers Reserved to States

Establish and maintain schools

Powers of Both the National Government and the States

Raise taxes, provide for the public welfare, build roads

Legislative Branch

Makes laws

Size of the House

435 members

Congress consists of two houses. They are:

The House of Representatives and the Senate

House of Representatives Term Length

2 year terms with no limit to the number of terms

How old do members of the House have to be?

25 years of age

How long must a person be a citizen to be in the House?

7 years

Gerrymandering

Drawn to the advantage of the faction that controls the State legislature

Size of the Senate

100 members, 2 from each state

Senate Term Length

6 year terms, 1/3 every 2 years

Continuous Body

Seats are never all up for election at the same time

How old must senators be?

30 years of age

How long must a person be a citizen to be in the Senate?

9 years

Filibuster

Tactic used by a minority to "talk a bill to death" on the Senate floor

What percentage is needed to pass a bill?

51%

Presidential Veto

President rejects bill

Choose no action

President decides to do nothing; bill automatically passed after 10 days

Pocket Veto

When Congress adjourns within the 10 day period and the President decides not to sign the bill

How long must a person be a citizen to run for President?

Must be a natural-born citizen who has lived in the country for at least 14 years

How old must Presidents be?

35 years old

When is election day?

The Tuesday after the 1st Monday

What determines the number of electoral votes a state gets?

The number of representatives plus the number of Senators

How many electoral votes are needed to win an election?

270

How many electoral votes are in an election?

538

How are judges appointed?

The President nominates them and the Senate confirms them

How long are the terms for judges?

Life terms

What is the set number of justices?

9

Majority Opinion

Written statement by a majority of the judges of a court in support of a decision made by that court

Concurring Opinion

Written explanation of the views of one or more judges who support a decision reached by the majority but disagree with the grounds for that decision

Minority Opinion

Written explanation of judges who disagree with the majority

How many district judges are there?

632

How many judges are appointed to each district?

2