Caucus
locally held meeting in a state to select delegates who, in turn, will nominate candidates to political office
Initiative
allows voters to petition to propose legislation and then submit it for a vote by qualified voters; not available at the national level
Pocket veto
issues that merit action, as determined by the public or those in power
Executive order
action by the president that does not require the approval of Congress; subject to judicial review
Direct primary
party members vote to nominate their candidate for the general election
voters choose office holder from among all the candidates nominated by political parties or running as independents
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)
Moderate
information provided in an interview that a reporter cannot directly use
Legislative courts
Pure speech
verbal communication of ideas and opinions
Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
Selectively incorporates 4th amendment. Later modified with "inevitable discovery" (good if would be found in a later, lawful search) and "good faith" (good if warrant was issued at all).
Deregulation
an agency that is part of the executive branch and responsible for regulating and oversight of a segment of the economy; it is managed by a board or commission appointed by the president for a fixed term
small changes in policy over long periods of time; usually in reference to budget making - that the best indicator of this year's budget is last year's budget plus a small increase
stare decisis
let the decision stand; court decisions are based on precedent from previous cases
Pardon
a convicted person is exempt from the penalties of a crime; only the president has this power at the national
national laws supersedes all other laws passed by states
false verbal statements about others that harm their reputation
Brief
a written document submitted to a court that presents the facts and legal reasoning of a party to the lawsuit
pork-barrel legislation
legislation giving benefits to constituents through sometimes unnecessary or unwise projects within a state or district, to enhance a member's chance of reelection
Divided government
one party controls the executive (president) and the other party controls one or both houses of Congress
Miranda warning
double jeopardy
Political party
Voluntary association of people who seek to control the government through common principles, based on peaceful and legal actions such as the winning of elections; an organization that recruits, nominated, and elects party members to control the government
Senatorial courtesy
the practice of allowing senators from the president's party who represent the state where a judicial district is located, to approve or disapprove potential nominees for the lower federal courts
Exit poll
a poll conducted on election day to determine how people voted
Unanimous consent
an agreement by every senator to the terms of debate on a given piece of legislation
lowest level of federal courts, where most federal cases begin and trials are held
