baseline vocab quiz

SCOTUS

supreme court of the united states

VPOTUS

vice president of the united states

POTUS

president of the united states

Primary election

party elections held to choose party candidates for the general election. primary candidates do not win office, this is an election to choose a candidate to run for an office

general election

an election which party candidates tun to win an office

presidential election

a type of general election but is to choose the president

midterm election

general election that happens during the middle of a presedential term

incumbent

a person who already holds an elected office (e.g mariannette miller-meeks is the incumbent for our district)

democratic republic

a type of government where ppl hold power through elected reps. the US is not a direct democracy bc citizens dont vote on every issue to make policy changes. They elect people to manage it

republican

advocates for limited gov and free markets. Supports fewer government programs to achieve goals

democrat

advocates policies on social justice, economic equality, and is in support of more government programs

congress

term used for federal legislature. includes both the house and the senate

house

lower chamber of congress. 435 members, with representatives based on state population. Iowa has 4

senate

upper chamber of congress, with 100 members. Each state has two.

federal

a term used to describe the national/central gov and its agencies who legislate and enforce laws impacting the entire country

federalism

idea that power is divided between the national gov and state gov. licenses are state issues, money is a federal

legislature

a body of government that makes laws. Made up by the house and the senate

legislator

a person who serves in the legislative body. Senators and house members are legislators.

representative

a title for a member of the house. Mariannette miller-meeks is a representative. Can also be referred to as a congressperson

justice/judge

member of the judicial branch whose job is to work through court hearings.

speaker of the house

the presiding officer who runs the house and will often be the leading voice for their partys goals. Currently this person is Mike johnson

house majority leader

a person who is chosen to lead the party that is in the power in the house. While they play an important roles in house leadership, theyre often overshadowed by the speaker of the house

house minority leader

a person who is chosen to lead the party that is not in power in the house. Currently, the democratic party does not control the house, theyre in the minority

senate majority leader

a person who is chosen to lead the party that is in power of the senate. Often the national voice for their partys foals in the senate.

senate minority leader

a person who is chosen to lead the party that is NOT in power of the senate. Currently democratic party

cabinet

collection of departments who help to advise the president and carry out laws.

kim reynolds

iowas current governer, republican. Not seeking reelection

zach lahn

republican candidate for iowas gubernational election (governor)

rob sand

democrat candidate for iowas gubernational election (governor)

charles grassley

senior senator serving iowa. republican. served since 1981, seat will be net up for reelection in 2028

joni ernst

junior senator serving iowa. Republican, does not seek reelection this year, leading to an open seat

ashley hinson

republican candidate for iowas open senate seat

josh turek

democratic candidate for iowas open senate seat

mariannette miller-meeks

the republican candidates, and incumbent for IA01 district in the house of reps.

christina bohannan

the democratic candidate for IA-01 district in the house of reps

john roberts

chief justice of the us supreme court

mike johnson

speaker of the house