gov

Plurality vote

Winning an election by getting more votes than any other candidate, even if it’s less than 50%.

Proportional representation

A system where parties win seats based on the percentage of votes they receive.

Bicameral

A legislature with two chambers, like the U.S. Congress (House and Senate).

Delegate

A representative who votes based on what their constituents want.

Trustee

A representative who votes based on their own judgment and beliefs.

Constituents

The people a member of Congress represents.

Reapportionment

Redistributing House seats among states after each census (every 10 years).

Redistricting

Redrawing district boundaries based on population changes.

Gerrymandering

Drawing districts to favor a political party or group.

Advertising

Actions by Congress members to make their name known to voters.

Credit claiming

Taking credit for government projects or policies to gain voter approval.

Position taking

Publicly expressing a stance on issues to show values to voters.

Bias against action

The idea that it’s easier for Congress to block laws than to pass them.

Electoral College

The system that officially elects the president through state electors.

Elector

A person chosen to cast their state’s official votes for president.

Indirect election

Citizens vote for electors, who then vote for president.

Inauguration

The ceremony where the president officially takes office (Jan. 20).

Battleground (Swing) state

A state that could vote for either major party and decides elections.

Impeachment

The process by which the House accuses a president or federal official of wrongdoing.

Removal from office

When the Senate votes to officially remove an impeached official.

Executive orders

Presidential directives that act like laws within the executive branch.

Emergency powers

Powers the president uses during national crises.

Executive privilege

The president’s right to keep certain communications private.

Head of State

The symbolic representative of the nation.

Commander in Chief

The president’s role as leader of the armed forces.

Chief Diplomat

The president’s role in managing foreign policy.

Chief Executive

The president’s responsibility for enforcing laws.

Chief Legislator

The president’s influence on the lawmaking process.

Vice President

The president’s second-in-command; breaks Senate ties and succeeds the president.

Presidential succession

The order in which officials replace the president if needed.

Bureaucracy

The system of government departments and agencies that carry out laws and policies.

Administrative agency

A government body that creates and enforces regulations.

Bureaucrat

A government employee working in a department or agency.

Civil servant

A bureaucrat hired through a merit-based system rather than politics.

Independent regulatory commission

Agencies that regulate specific industries independently of the president.

Government corporation

Government-run businesses that provide services to the public (like USPS, Amtrak).

Separation of powers

Division of government authority among the three branches to prevent tyranny.

Checks and balances

Each branch can limit the powers of the others.

Parliamentary system

A government where the executive and legislative branches are combined (ex: UK).

Judicial review

The power of courts to declare laws or actions unconstitutional.

Precedent

A previous court ruling that serves as a guide for future cases.

Trial court

The first level of court that hears a case and examines facts.

Appellate court

A court that reviews decisions made by lower courts.

Judiciary

The branch of government that interprets laws and administers justice.