Delegate
an elected official who considers it an obligation to vote the way the majority of his or her constituents wants
New Jersey v. TLO (1985)
Dealigning
States cannot ban private schools to prevent religious courses. Wisconsin v. Yoder
Federalism
a division of governmental powers between the national government and the states
Electoral College
representatives from each state who formally cast ballots for the president and vice president
Connecticut (Great) Compromise
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
voting a method of evaluating candidates in which voters evaluate incumbent candidates and decide whether to vote for them based on their past performances
Initiative
allows voters to petition to propose legislation and then submit it for a vote by qualified voters; not available at the national level
Policy formulation
the development of an approach to solving a problem that is on the political agenda
At-large
all the voters of a state or county elect their representative
Policy implementation
carrying out a policy through government agencies and courts
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
Cloture
a method for cutting off a filibuster in the Senate; sixteen votes are needed to call for cloture and sixty are needed to end a filibuster
Filibuster
a lengthy speech designed to delay the vote on a bill in the Senate; can be ended by a cloture motion and vote
those individuals held in great respect because of their position, expertise, or personality, who may
Deviating election
minority party is able to win the support of majority party members, independents, and new voters
Primary election
nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election
Standing committee
a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy area
Advice and consent
Discrimination
unfair treatment of a person based on race or group membership
a statistical technique that gives everyone in the target group the same opportunity to participate in a poll
Moderate
person whose views are between conservative and liberal and may include some of both ideologies
Trial balloon
tests the public reaction to policy or appointments by releasing information to the media and gauging public reaction
a judicial philosophy that holds that courts have a more expansive role to play in shaping public policy
Entitlement
government benefits provided to Americans who qualify because of their age, income, and/or status
basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights a government cannot deny
Closed rule
a rule issued by the House Committee on Rules, in which there is a strict time limit for debate and no amendments can be offered
Veto
the president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress
redistribution of the 435 congressional seats among the states after the census determines changes in population distribution
