Extra Vocabulary: Important Test Defenitions.

What is habeas corpus?

A legal protection requiring the government to justify why someone is detained in court.

What is an ex post facto law?

A law that retroactively makes an action illegal or increases punishment for an earlier action.

What is a bill of attainder?

A law that punishes a specific person or group without a trial.

What is the Elastic Clause?

Another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause.

What is a treaty?

A formal agreement between countries.

What is a veto?

The President's rejection of a bill.

What is impeachment?

The formal accusation of a government official for misconduct.

What is extradition?

Returning a person to the state where they are wanted for a crime.

What is reapportionment?

Redistributing House seats among states based on population.

What is redistricting?

Redrawing congressional district boundaries.

What is the Census?

The official count of the U.S. population every 10 years.

What is proportional representation?

Representation based on population.

What is equal representation?

Each state receives the same number of senators regardless of population.

What is a majority vote?

More than half of the votes cast.

What is a supermajority?

A vote requiring more than a simple majority, such as two-thirds.

What is judicial review?

The power of courts to determine whether laws violate the Constitution.

What is due process?

The government's obligation to follow fair legal procedures before taking away life, liberty, or property.

What are delegated powers?

Powers given to the federal government by the Constitution.

What are reserved powers?

Powers kept by the states or the people.

What are concurrent powers?

Powers shared by federal and state governments.

What is a republic?

A government in which citizens elect representatives.

What is a bill?

A proposed law.

What is a cabinet?

A group of top executive department officials who advise the President.

What is a pardon?

An official act of forgiveness for a federal offense.

What is an elector?

A person who casts an official Electoral College vote.

What is a constitutional convention?

A meeting used to propose changes to a constitution.

What is an incumbent?

The person currently holding an elected office.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution.

What is an oath of office?

A formal promise to carry out the responsibilities of a government position.