Study Guide for Carbone

Preamble to the Constitution

It’s the hello message that tells what the Constitution wants to do — keep us safe, make things fair, and help everyone

Qualifications for senator

at least 30, U.S citizen for 9 years, must live in the state you want to represent

Qualifications for House of Representatives

at least 25, a U.S citizen for 7 years, and live in the state they want to represent

Qualifications for President

must be 35, naturally born in the U.S, must live in the U.S

How many states had to ratify the Constitution

nine had to say yes

Senator term of office

6 years

House of representative term of office

2 years

President term of office

4 years

Federal Judge term of office

For life (until they retire or pass away)

Who is the President of the Senate

The Vice President

When does the President of the Senate vote

Only when there’s a tie

If the President doesn’t sign or return a bill

It becomes a law after 10 days (unless Congress goes home)

What Congress needs to override a veto

A 2/3 vote in both the House and Senate

Who received the last right to vote

18-year-olds

15th Amendment

Black men can vote

24th Amendment

No more paying money (poll tax) to vote

First 10 Amendments

Called the Bill of Rights — they protect your freedoms.

Supreme Law of the Land

The Constitution — the biggest rulebook.

Three Branches of Government

Legislative Executive Judicial

Legislative Branch

Makes Laws

Executive Branch

Enforces laws

Judicial Branch

Judges Laws

Reserved Powers

Powers saved for the states

Delegated Powers

Powers given to the national government

How police get a search warrant

They ask a judge and show a good reason

How new states are admitted

Congress says yes

What it means if a section is no longer in use

It’s outdated — we don’t follow it anymore

How many presidents have been impeached

3 presidents

How a constitutional amendment becomes law

Congress votes, then states vote to approve it

How long a president can serve

Up to 8 years

How often the government does a census

Every 10 years

Current president as of 1/20/21

Joe Biden

Current Chief Justice

John Roberts

Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy

The President

Senate must approve the President’s choices for

Judges, ambassadors, and top government jobs.

Electoral College

A group that officially picks the President.

Senators (2) + # of Representatives

How the number of electors from each state determined for the Electoral College

Electoral College

A group that officially picks the President.

Presidential line of succession

Who becomes President next if something happens (VP → Speaker → etc.).

Electoral votes needed to win

270

How many presidents we had as of 1/20/21

46

How often U.S. Representatives are elected

Every 2 years

# of Amendments

27

Article 1 of the Constitution

Explains Congress and how it works

How many Representatives in the House

435

How many Supreme Court Justices

9