gov vocab

federalism

a system of government in which power is divided between national and regional government

checks and balances

a system made to ensure not one person/group in government gets too much power

bicameralism

2 chambers of government

judicial review

the power of the courts to look at the laws passed by congress/actions taken by the president and label them unconstitutional if against the law

double jeopardy

when someone is accused of a crime twice in court

veto

when the president refuses to sign a bill

gerrymandering

drawing legislative districts to meet partisan advantage

electoral college

the system used to elect the president

swing state

a state where votes can go towards one party or another

impeachment

the process of bringing charges against a government official for wrongdoing

treaty

an agreement between +2 countries

affirmative action

policies/behaviors that bring more representation towards disadvantaged groups

voter registration

a procedure of voter identification intended to prevent fraudulent voting

poll tax

taxes people have to pay no matter their income or housing status

political spectrum

visual for showing how different political parties, groups, and ideas relate to each other

self-incrimination

admiting you committed a crime after proving so

eminent domain

a government’s legal capability to take private property and change it to a public building