Deficit
a governing or controlling body whose power exists only within predefined limits that are established by a Constitution or other source of authority
party members vote to nominate their candidate for the general election
Electoral College
representatives from each state who formally cast ballots for the president and vice president
Independent regulatory agency
Unfunded mandates
Voter turnout
the total number of votes cast for the highest office on the ballot
Federalist Papers
written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to support ratification of the Construction
a revision or change to a bill, law, or constitution
Enumerated powers
powers that the Constitution specifically grants to the federal government
Patronage
the system in which a party leader rewarded political supporters with jobs or government contracts in exchange for their support of the party
Libel
false written statements about others that harm their reputation
Block grants
writ of certiorari
a formal document issued by the Supreme Court to a lower court indicating that it will hear a case
Exclusionary rule
Roe v. Wade (1973)
The Right to Privacy extends to letting women make decisions about their bodies without government surveillance.
Anti-Federalists
those opposed to the ratification of the Constitution because it gave too much power to the central government at the expense of the states and the lack of a bill of rights
Advice and consent
the elected leader of the party with the most seats in the House or Senate
Great compromise
a solution to the problem of representation at the constitutional convention, in which the number of members that each state would have in the House is determined by population, while each state would have equal representation in the Senate (two senators per state)
Full faith and credit
clause says that states are required to recognize the laws and legal documents of other states - Article 4
all the voters of a state or county elect their representative
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan
The Supreme Court concluded that "actual malice" must be proved to support a finding of libel against a public figure. Principle of "breathing space"
Declaration of Independence
drafted in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson declaring America's separation from Great Britain
Administrative Discretion
the flexibility a federal agency can exercise in implementing legislation through its rules and regulations. the authority delegated to bureaucrats to use their expertise and judgment when determining how to implement public policy.
Good-faith exception
a rule of evidence that says that if the authorities act "in good faith," evidence that otherwise might have been excluded may be admissible. Modifies Mapp v. Ohio
Trial balloon
tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging public reaction
Legislative Branch
a draft of a proposed law presented to parliament for discussion.
Progressive tax
a tax that is higher for those who make more money; the federal income tax is an example
