American democracy

Political efficacy

An individual’s belief that ordinary citizens can affect what government does.

Memorial Day

A U.S. holiday honoring military members who died while serving.

Veterans Day

A U.S. holiday honoring those who have served in the U.S. military.

Memorial Day and Veterans Day

American holidays that recognize those who have served in the U.S. military.

Size of the Supreme Court

Congress has the power to change the number of Supreme Court justices by passing legislation.

Executive order and legislative process

A President may use an executive order to direct executive branch action without going through the normal lawmaking process.

Federal presidential democratic republic

The type of government used by the United States, combining federalism, an elected president, democratic elections, and republican representation.

Cooperative federalism and highways

The U.S. Federal Highway System is an example of cooperative federalism because national and state governments work together.

Political efficacy example

A person believes contacting officials, voting, or joining civic action can influence government decisions.

Rule of law

Citizens and government officials are governed by law, and no one is above the law.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that government power comes from the people.

Consent of the governed

The idea that government is legitimate only when the people agree to be governed.

Citizen

A legally recognized member of a country who has specific rights and responsibilities.

U.S. citizen

A person who has legal membership in the United States by birth or naturalization.

Natural

born citizen

Naturalized citizen

A person who becomes a U.S. citizen through the legal naturalization process.

Rights exclusive to U.S. citizens

Rights only citizens have, including voting in federal elections, running for federal office, serving on a jury in many cases, and obtaining a U.S. passport.

Responsibilities exclusive to U.S. citizens

Responsibilities that apply to citizens, including serving on a jury when summoned and voting as a civic responsibility.

Voting

A right reserved for U.S. citizens that allows people to choose elected leaders and influence government.

Running for federal office

A right reserved for U.S. citizens because members of Congress and the President must be citizens.

Jury service

A civic responsibility where citizens help decide court cases.

U.S. passport

A document available to U.S. citizens that proves citizenship and allows international travel.

Direct democracy

A system where citizens vote directly on laws or policy decisions.

Indirect democracy

A system where citizens elect representatives to make laws and policy decisions for them.

Representative democracy

Another term for indirect democracy.

Republic

Another term for an indirect democracy where elected representatives govern on behalf of the people.

Constitutional republic

A republic where government power is limited by a constitution.

Democracy

A system of government where power comes from the people.

Republican government

A system where people elect representatives to make political decisions.

Why the Framers created a republic

The Framers created a republic because they believed direct democracy was impractical for a large country and feared sudden majority rule could violate individual rights.

Framers

The leaders who helped design and write the U.S. Constitution.

Majority rule

The idea that the choice supported by more than half of voters usually wins.

Minority rights

Protections for individuals or groups who are not part of the majority.

House of Representatives

The chamber of Congress created to represent the voters directly.

Senate

The chamber of Congress originally created to represent the states.

Seventeenth Amendment

The amendment that changed the Senate from being chosen by state legislatures to being directly elected by voters.

Congress

The legislative branch of the federal government made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Bicameral legislature

A lawmaking body with two chambers.

Florida voter registration responsibility

Florida county Supervisors of Elections register voters and update voter information in their counties. ([Florida Supervisors of Elections, Inc][1])

Supervisor of Elections

The Florida county official responsible for voter registration and election administration.

Orange County Supervisor of Elections

The local elections office for Orange County, Florida, responsible for election services and voter information in that county. ([Orange County Supervisor of Elections][2])

President of the United States

The elected head of the executive branch, commander in chief, and chief enforcer of federal law.

Current President of the United States

Donald J. Trump is the 45th and 47th President of the United States. ([The White House][3])

Vice President of the United States

The elected official who presides over the Senate and becomes President if the President cannot serve.

Current Vice President of the United States

JD Vance serves as Vice President of the United States. ([The White House][4])

President’s term length

The President serves a four

President’s term limit

The President may be elected to no more than two terms.

President qualifications

The President must be a natural

Vice President qualifications

The Vice President must meet the same constitutional qualifications as the President.

U.S. Senator

A member of the Senate elected by voters in a state.

U.S. Senator term length

U.S. Senators serve six

U.S. Senator qualifications

A Senator must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, and a resident of the state represented.

U.S. Representative

A member of the House of Representatives elected by voters in a congressional district.

U.S. Representative term length

U.S. Representatives serve two

U.S. Representative qualifications

A Representative must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years, and a resident of the state represented.

Governor

The elected chief executive of a state.

Current Florida Governor

Ron DeSantis is the Governor of Florida. ([Florida Governor's Office][5])

Florida Governor term length

The Florida Governor serves a four

Florida Governor term limit

The Florida Governor may serve two consecutive four

Lieutenant Governor

The state official who assists the Governor and may become Governor if the office becomes vacant.

Florida Attorney General

The state’s chief legal officer.

Current Florida Attorney General

James Uthmeier serves as Florida Attorney General and was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in February 2025. ([My Florida Legal][6])

Florida Chief Financial Officer

The state official who oversees Florida’s finances, financial services, and fire marshal duties.

Current Florida Chief Financial Officer

Blaise Ingoglia serves as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal. ([FLDFS][7])

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture

The state official who leads the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Current Florida Commissioner of Agriculture

Wilton Simpson serves as Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. ([Florida Department of Agriculture][8])

Florida Cabinet

A group of statewide executive officials that includes the Governor, Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, and Commissioner of Agriculture.

State legislator

An elected official who serves in a state legislature.

Florida Legislature

Florida’s lawmaking branch made up of the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate.

Florida House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Florida’s legislature.

Florida Senate

The upper chamber of Florida’s legislature.

Mayor

The elected or appointed chief executive of a city, depending on local government structure.

City council

A local legislative body that makes ordinances and local policy.

County commissioner

A local elected official who helps govern a county.

School board member

A local official elected to help oversee public schools.

Judge

A government official who interprets laws and presides over legal cases.

Appointed official

A government official chosen by another official instead of directly elected by voters.

Elected official

A government official chosen by voters in an election.

Democratic Party

One of the two major political parties in the United States.

Republican Party

One of the two major political parties in the United States.

Two

party system

Democratic Party policy positions

The Democratic platform commonly emphasizes voting rights, civil rights, health care access, labor protections, climate action, reproductive rights, and social programs. ([Democrats][9])

Republican Party policy positions

The Republican platform commonly emphasizes border security, lower taxes, deregulation, energy production, gun rights, school choice, national defense, and limiting federal government power. ([The American Presidency Project][10])

Political party

An organization that seeks to influence government by winning elections and promoting policy goals.

Party platform

A written statement of a political party’s principles, goals, and policy positions.

Executive order

A directive issued by the President or a governor that manages operations of the executive branch.

Monroe Doctrine

The policy warning European countries that attempts to establish control in the Western Hemisphere would be opposed by the United States.

Western Hemisphere

The region including North America, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Fair Housing Act

A federal law meant to prevent discrimination in housing

Fair Housing Act purpose

The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when renting or buying homes, getting mortgages, seeking housing assistance, or participating in other housing activities. ([HUD][11])

Housing discrimination

Unfair treatment in housing based on protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status.

President’s job

The President leads the executive branch, enforces laws, commands the military, conducts foreign policy, and represents the nation.

Commander in chief

The President’s role as leader of the U.S. armed forces.

Chief executive

The President’s role as head of the executive branch.

Chief diplomat

The President’s role in managing foreign relations.

Chief legislator

The President’s role in influencing lawmaking through proposals, vetoes, and State of the Union messages.

Chief of state

The President’s role as symbolic representative of the country.

Veto power

The President’s power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Pocket veto

A veto that occurs when the President does not sign a bill near the end of a congressional session.

Appointment power

The President’s power to nominate officials such as Cabinet members, ambassadors, and federal judges.