HELLO

Electoral college

The group of people (electors) chosen from each State and the District of Columbia to formally select the President and Vice President with two votes each.The person with the majority of electoral votes becomes President, the person with the second most votes becomes Vice President. The original version of this college worked as the Framers intended only as long as George Washington was willing to seek and hold the presidency. The electoral college was seen as an appropriate way to select the president by the Framers. They saw it to be "the most enlightened and respectable citizens from each state." The electoral college was to act as "free agents" in choosing the people best qualified to fill the nation's two highest offices. Flaws began to appear in the system with the rise of parties, and the system eventually broke down. There was a tie in the election of 1800 that took 36 separate votes in the House of Reps to select the President and Vice President. The 12th amendment separates the presidential and vice-presidential elections, each elector now casts one vote for each position

anti federalists

Did not support the constitution, Notable members were patrick henry lee, john hancock, and samuel adams.

Federalists

Supported the constitution, lead by those who atteneded the philadelphia convention

Articles Of Conferderation

Approved November 15, 1977 by Congress after being debated over for 17 months, “Firm League of Friendship.

Due Process

No matter what the governemnt must act fairly and accoridngly witht h e established rules

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments are known as this because it established our gurantees for freedome as a us citizen

Checks & Balances

3 branches of government, each branch has the right to constitutionally check or or restraint by the other branches

Conneticut Compromise

Delegates agree that congress hsould be compsoed of two houses (bicameral) One side iwth equal representation,the other with representatiion proportionate to states population

Constituiton

Sets laws, principles, structures, and process of government

Exclusive Jurisdiction

Cases only heard in federal courts

Concurrent Jurisdiction

Case tried in federal or state court

Original Jurisdiction

A court in which a case is. first heard

Apellate Jurisditction

When a court hears a case on appeal from a lower court

Impeachment

The house has sole power to do this, which is to accuse and bring charges against. Any high power in the U.S. may be removed due to a high crime. This decision only required a majority vote in the house

Amendment

Changes in the constitution written words.

Formal Amendment

This is changes or addition that become part of the written language of the Constitution itself

Informal Amendment

Happens through changes in interpretation or application, not by altering text

Judicial Review

The power to declare unconstittutional things and is held by all federal courts and by most state courts

Judicial Restraint

Believes that judges should decide cases based on the original intent of the framers or those who enacted the statures involved in a case and precedent

Judicial activism

Judicial philosophy says to go beyond the applicable law to consider broader societal implications

Popular sovereignty

basic principle of the American system of government which asserts that the people are the source of any and all governmental power, and government can exist onl wiht the consent of the governd

3/5 compromise

Framers agreed to this compromise that provided all “free persons” should be counted and so, too should “three fifths of all other persons”. owners of slaves could count their slaves but thye would have to pay for it.

Decleration of Indpendence

1776 statement, issued by the second contnental congresss, explaining why the colonies wanted independence from Britain

Bills become laws

1 introduced into the house

2Committee action occurs, referred to as standing committteee for study hearings, revisions, and approval

3. The rules committee sets conditions for debate and amendment on the floor
4.floor action occurs, then passed or defeated. if passed, it goes to senate.
5. introduced to senate
6. committee action, referred to as standing committee for study hearings, revisions, and approval.
7. floor action, debated then passed or defeated
8. Conference committee resolves differences between House and Senate versions of bill
9. Congressional approval: House and senate vote on final passage. Approved bill is sent to the president
10. The president signs or vetos the bill or allows it to become law without signing. a vetoed bill returns to congress which can be overwritten

Filibuster

A stalling tactic in which a minority of senators seeks to delay or prevent Senate action on a measure.

exeecutive Action

Presidential actions have produced several imoortant informal amendments, such as the use of the military under the power of the commander-in-chief.

party caucus

closed meetings of the members of each party in each house. They’re held just before Congress convenes in January and occasionally during a session.

election day (general)

regularly sheduled elections

elecition day (electoral)

voting for the president

term of congress

a two year period beginning on 3 january of odd numbered years