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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
Note
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