a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct
a poll conducted on election day to determine how people voted
Off the record information
Brief
a written document submitted to a court that presents the facts and legal reasoning of a party to the lawsuit
Gatekeepers
media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who decide what news to present and how it will be presented
stare decisis
let the decision stand; court decisions are based on precedent from previous cases
"marble-cake federalism" a model of the relationship between the federal government and the states that developed during the 1930s; the power of the federal government expands into areas that the states are usually responsible for
Gridlock
when opposing parties and interests often block each other's proposals, creating a political stalemate or inaction between the executive and legislative branches of government
Legislative veto
when Congress rejects an action of the president by a majority vote of both houses; declared
National debt
Civil liberties
Majority opinion
locally held meeting in a state to select delegates who, in turn, will nominate candidates to political office
Divided government
Three-fifths compromise
voting a method of evaluating candidates in which voters evaluate incumbent candidates and decide whether to vote for them based on their past performances
Sixth amendment applies to federal criminal cases with possible imprisonment and too poor defendant. Gideon v. Wainwright
Keynesian economics
the belief that inflation occurs when too much money is chasing too few goods; the government must manage the economy by spending more money when in a recession and cutting spending when there is inflation
Revolving
door the practice of government officials becoming lobbyists for the industries or companies they were responsible for regulating while they were public servants
Soft money
money used by national, state, or local party organizations that is not regulated by the Federal Election Commission
Republic
a government that derives its authority from the people and in which citizens elect government officials to represent them in the processes by which laws are made; a representative democracy
Substantive due process
the policies of government or the particular subject matter of the laws determining what the law is about and whether the law is fair or if it violates constitutional protections
joint resolution
A formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both houses of congress and by the president; constitutional amendments need not be signed by the president
Federalist Papers
Open convention
States cannot ban private schools to prevent religious courses. Wisconsin v. Yoder
Joint committee
a committee of Congress made up of members of both houses that focuses on issues of general concern but does not propose legislation
settled disputes between the states over the structure of the legislative branch; 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 of Representatives is determined by population, while each state would have equal representation in the Senate
Gerrymandering
drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party or group over another
Political ideology
