State Legislatures and Governors - Exam Review Flashcards

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to state legislatures, governors, and the political mechanisms influencing their operation.

Amendment

A change or addition to a legal or statutory document.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the U.S. Constitution that establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law.

Professionalism

An index variable that combines session length, salary, staff, and resources in the assessment of legislatures.

Term Limits

Restrictions on the number of terms an elected official can serve in office.

Legislature

A deliberative assembly with the authority to make laws.

Civic Engagement

Participation in activities that influence public policy and leadership.

Citizen Referenda

A process that allows citizens to vote directly on a particular proposal or amendment.

Voter Ratification

Approval by voters of a measure or amendment to a legal document.

Ballot

A means through which voters can express their choices or opinions, often seen in elections.

Institutional Differences

Variations in the structure and function of governmental bodies across jurisdictions.

Governor

The elected executive head of a state in the U.S.

Gubernatorial Control

The political dominance of a governor's party within state government.

Nonpartisan Elections

Elections in which candidates do not declare party affiliation on the ballot.

Retention Elections

Elections where voters decide whether to keep an appointed judge in office.

Party Control

The dominance of a political party in a specific legislative body.

Cameral

Referring to a legislature that has one or more chambers.

Squire Scores

An empirical measure of legislative professionalism based on several variables.

Professionalized Legislature

A legislature that functions with full-time personnel, higher salaries, and ample resources.

Legislative Staff

Personnel employed by legislators to assist in their duties and responsibilities.

Unitary Legislature

A legislative body composed of a single chamber.

Judicial Selection

The process by which judges are chosen for the judiciary in a particular jurisdiction.

Judicial Retention

A process through which voters decide whether to allow a judge to continue serving.

Merit System

A system used to appoint judges based on qualifications rather than electoral popularity.

Election Law

The body of laws governing the conduct of elections.

Administrative Authority

The power to implement laws and manage government operations.

Judicial Independence

The concept that the judiciary should remain independent from political influence.

Civil Cases

Legal disputes between private parties, as opposed to criminal matters.

Legislative Process

The steps through which a proposed law passes before becoming an official law.

Docket

A list of pending cases in a court.

Separation of Powers

A political principle where government functions are divided into distinct branches.

Third Party

Any political party other than the two major parties in a political system.

Election Cycle

The period during which elections are held, including pre-election campaigning.

Policy Landscape

The overall environment of policy decisions, considerations, and legislative actions.

Voter Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who participate in an election.