Poli Sci Midterm 2

Front 1

15th Amendment

Back 1

(1870) African American men could vote.

The "right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

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19th Amendment

Back 2

(1920) Women gained the right to vote. This amendment prohibits any US citizen from being denied the right to vote.

Front 3

24th Amendment

Back 3

(1964) This amendment prohibits the use of poll taxes during elections.

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26th Amendment

Back 4

(1971) This amendment gave citizens 18 years old and older the right to vote.

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Representative Democracy

Back 5

A system of government in which elected officials represent a group of people.

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Requirements to maintain fair election

Back 6

Independent Monitoring, Fixed Regular Intervals, Ease of Nomination, Universal Adult Sufferage, Secret Ballot, One Person. One Vote.

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Independent Monitoring

Back 7

The observation of an election by one or more independent parties who record and report fraud.

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Universal Adult Suffrage

Back 8

The right to vote for all adults

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Secret Ballot

Back 9

A process in which an individuals vote is not disclosed, or it is "secret".

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Legislative Mal-apportionment

Back 10

When the number of legislative seats given to a geographical unit is not proportional to its population.

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Gerrymandering

Back 11

The redrawing of electoral district lines to benefit one party by either cracking or packing.

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Cracking (Gerrymandering)

Back 12

Drawing electoral district lines to break up a political a political parity's territory.

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Packing (Gerrymandering)

Back 13

Drawing electoral district lines in order to fill a district with a particular political party.

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Poll tax

Back 14

A tax that must be paid in order to vote.

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Hard money

Back 15

Money from political donations that are regulated by law through the Federal Elections Commission.

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Soft money

Back 16

Money that is donated to a political part that is not regulated.

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Independent expenditures

Back 17

A political campaign communication that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate.

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17th Amendment

Back 18

Established that senators are to be elected by the people of the states.

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Enumerated Powers

Back 19

Powers given to Congress by the Constitution, Article 1, Section8.

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List of some of Congress's Enumerated Powers

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To tax, borrow money, regulate commerce, coin money, create post offices, pursue science and arts, declare war, build a Navy...

Front 21

List of Leadership roles in Congress

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Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, Whips

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Role of the Whip

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Assists the floor leader, checks attendance, counts votes, communicates the position of the major party

Front 23

Logrolling

Back 23

When legislative members trade favors (quid pro quo), such as a vote to obtain passage of bills of interest to each member. Common in Congress

Front 24

Pork barrel politics

Back 24

Government spending for projects primarily to bring money to a representative's district.

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Bicameral Legislature

Back 25

A when legislature is divided into 2 assemblies. For example: the United State's House of Representatives and Senate.

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Quorum

Back 26

The minimum number of members of an assembly that MUST be present at any meeting

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Impeachment

Back 27

When an official is removed from office for being unlawful.

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Petition of Discharge

Back 28

An act that brings a bill out of committee without a report from the committee

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Filibuster

Back 29

A long speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly. (Because the House has established time constraints, this happens in the Senate, but not in the House)

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Cloture

Back 30

A procedure by which the Senate votes to place a time limit on the consideration of an action. Usually done to overcome a filibuster.

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Regular Veto

Back 31

When the President returns unsigned legislation to the originating house of Congress within 10 days usually with a message of disapproval. This can be overridden by Congress with a 2/3 vote.

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Pocket Veto

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When the president fails to sign a bill after Congress has adjourned and can no longer override this action.

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Simple Majority

Back 33

More than half the ballots

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Standing committees

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A committee that continues from one Congress to the next

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Subcommittees

Back 35

A subset of a committee organized for a specific purpose

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Presidential Electoral Term

Back 36

4 years

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Requirement to run for president of the USA

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1) natural born citizen

2) at least 35 years old

3) lived in the US for 35 years

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Executive Departments

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State, War, and Treasury Departments

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Enumerated powers of the President

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Commander and Chief of Army and Navy

(but can't declare war)

Appoint Ambassadors, Judges, and Officials

Pardon and Reprieve

Negotiate Treaties

Veto

Front 40

Ectoral College

Back 40

the institution that officially elects the president and vice president. The number of electors representing each state is = the number of congressmen each state has.

Front 41

Examples of Presidential Persuasion

Back 41

Presidential Mandate, State of the Union Address, Honeymoon period, Threat of Veto, Logrolling, Going Public

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Exective Agreement

Back 42

No senate approval needed for this agreement. (Treaties do need senate approval).

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War Powers Act

Back 43

This requires that the President notify Congress of military action within 48 hours. Military cannot remain in conflict for more than 60 days and after those 60 days, the military has another 30 days to withdraw.

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Recess Appointments

Back 44

The president can fill up all vacancies while the senate is in recess

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Signing Statements

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May be attached to a signed bill explaining the Presidents commentary on the bill, especially concerning its constitutionality.

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The Hierarchy of the Federal Courts

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1) Supreme Court

2) Appellate Courts

3) District Courts

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Supreme Court

Back 47

Highest Court. 9 Justices. Certiorari process. limited original jurisdiction.

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Appellate courts

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13 regional "circuit" courts. no original jurisdiction.

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District Courts

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Lowest Level court. 94 districts. no appellate jurisdiction. original jurisdiction for most cases.

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Court's insulation from bias

Back 50

Life terms, absolute immunity, rulings made in private.

Front 51

The rule of four

Back 51

Appeals process. An informal understanding that 4 justices of the Supreme court must confirm a cases importance before the court hears the case.

Front 52

Precedence/Stare Decisis

Back 52

Abiding by prior rulings

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Judicial Review

Back 53

The doctrine that puts legislative and executive action under review of the judiciary.

Front 54

counter majority problem

Back 54

the problem that the judicial branch can overrule or counter mand laws that reflect the will of the majority