Patronage
the system in which a party leader rewarded political supporters with jobs or government contracts in exchange for their support of the party
Bill
a draft of a proposed law presented to parliament for discussion.
DC v. Heller (2008)
Court ruled that a DC law banning hand guns was unconstitutional. McDonald v. Chicago
Standing committee
a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy area
Incorporation
application of portions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th Amendment
Plurality vote
electoral process in which the candidate who receives more votes than any other candidate is elected
Nonpartisan election
an election in which candidates run as independents without party affiliation
Pocket veto
when the president takes no action on a bill within ten days of Congress adjourning, the bill does not become law
Congress monitors policies of the executive branch; the process by which the legislative branch checks the executive branch to ensure that the laws Congress has passed are being administered in keeping with legislators' intent
Congressional oversight
Popular Socereignty
basic principle of US government which holds that the people are the source of all governmental power
Hard money
Legislative courts
courts courts created by Congress for a specialized purpose with a narrow range of authority; judges serve a fixed term
double jeopardy
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).
Civil liberties
constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens. What the government can't do.
Open convention
a party national convention at which no candidate has won a majority of the delegates in the primaries; the candidate is chosen by the convention
determines the rules for debate for bills in the House
Representative democracy
citizens choose officials who make decisions about public policy; a republic
a shift in voter loyalty in response to critical events; 1932 election of FD Roosevelt
Single-member districts
only one representative is chosen from each legislative district
North American Free Trade Agreement
created to allow the free movement of goods between Canada, Mexico, and the US by lowering and eliminating tariffs
organizing a letter-writing campaign or taking out ads to influence public opinion and persuade public officials to support a particular 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
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
allows the government to take private property for public use, as long as just compensation is paid
a speech or photo opportunity staged to give a politician's view on an issue; staged to present the candidate in a good light
Dissenting opinion
opinion justice or justices who voted in the minority, explaining the reasons for opposing the majority opinion
Congressional review
Congress's authority to review a new federal regulation enacted by a regulatory agency and overrule it through a joint resolution
Direct primary
party members vote to nominate their candidate for the general election
