Primary election
nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election
Platform
a shift of voting patterns to form new coalitions of party support
Opinion leaders
Conservative
a person whose political views favor more local, limited government, fewer government regulations,
governmental powers shared by the federal and state governments
a law that makes an action a crime even though it was legal when it was committed or increases the penalty for a crime after it has been committed
Ratification
method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law
Courts of Appeal
Progressive
generally refers to the belief that government or people acting on its behalf can be used to address social problems or inequities facing the nation
Delegate
an elected official who considers it an obligation to vote the way the majority of his or her constituents wants
Apportionment
distribution of congressional representatives among the states, based on the population of each state
Discharge petition
Hate speech
the conduct of international relations, particularly involving the negotiation of treaties and other agreements between nations
Split-ticket voting
voting for candidates from more than one party in the same election
Superdelegates
Federal budget decicit
the difference in any year between government spending and government revenue
equality of opportunity
everyone should have the same chance; what individuals make of that chance depends their abilities and efforts
Fiscal policy
a claim by the president or a member of the executive branch that information or documents requested by Congress or the courts do not have to be turned over because of the separation of powers
Delegated powers
Midterm elections
congressional elections held between presidential elections
Civil rights
Pardon
a convicted person is exempt from the penalties of a crime; only the president has this power at the national
jurisdiction the power a court has to review the decision of a lower court; the Supreme Court exercises appellate jurisdiction in the overwhelming majority of the cases it hears
writ of certiorari
a formal document issued by the Supreme Court to a lower court indicating that it will hear a case
Discrimination
Caucus
locally held meeting in a state to select delegates who, in turn, will nominate candidates to political office
action by the president that does not require the approval of Congress; subject to judicial review
