AP Government duel

Discharge petition a device by which any member of the House, after a committee has had a bill for thirty days, may petition to have it brought to the floor; requires 218 votes

Gerrymandering

Dealigning election party loyalty becomes less important to voters, and they vote for the other party candidate or

Conservative a person whose political views favor more local, limited government, fewer government regulations,

writ of habeas corpus a court order directing authorities to show cause for why a person under detention should not be released

Hard money money used directly by a candidate running for office; it is subject to campaign finance laws and Federal

Political culture a set of basic values and beliefs about one's country or government that is shared by most citizens

Subsidy

Motor Voter Law allows citizens to register to vote at welfare and motor vehicle offices

Betts v. Brady (1942)

Political agenda issues that merit action, as determined by the public or those in power

De jure segregation segregation segregation that results from law

Progressive tax a tax that is higher for those who make more money; the federal income tax is an example

Off year election an election taking place in a year when no presidential elections are occurring; midterm election

Federal budget decicit the difference in any year between government spending and government revenue

Hyde Amendment (1976)

Amicus curiae brief a brief submitted to the court by an interested third party that outlines issues it thinks are important in the case. amicus curiae literally means "friend of the court"

Gatekeepers media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who decide what news to present and how it will be presented

Delegated powers powers specifically granted to the national government in the Constitution

Elite Theory of Democracy

President Pro Tempore serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the vice president; chosen by the majority

an unauthorized release of information to the press from someone in the government

Markup rewrite of a bill after hearings have been held on it

Congressional oversight

a commission delegated to supervise an election

Unfunded mandates mandates require states to enforce legislation without the funding necessary

Maintaining elections traditional majority power maintains power based on voters' party loyalty

government departments headed by presidential appointees to help establish public policy and operate a specific policy area of governmental activity

Majority leader the elected leader of the party with the most seats in the House or Senate

Marble vs. layer cake federalism

Hyperpluralist Theory of Democracy seen as a system of many groups pulling government in many directions at the same time, causing gridlock and ineffectiveness

Enumerated powers powers that the Constitution specifically grants to the federal government

citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues; there are no elected officials;

a program intended to give a boost of preference to minority applicants over white applicants in contracting, employment, housing, and college or professional school admissions

Political socialization complex process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values

Natural rights basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights a government cannot deny

Three-fifths compromise agreement at the constitutional convention that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House of Representatives and for taxation

Candidate

Constitutional requirement that governments proceed by proper methods; limits how government may exercise power.

Single-member districts only one representative is chosen from each legislative district

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

Mandates requirements imposed by the national government on state and local governments to comply with federal

Opinion leaders those individuals held in great respect because of their position, expertise, or personality, who may

Progressive generally refers to the belief that government or people acting on its behalf can be used to address social problems or inequities facing the nation

Gatekeepers

a poll conducted in an unscientific manner, used to predict election outcomes

Caucus

Bill

Cooperative federalism "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

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

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause) gives Congress the powers to pass all laws necessary and proper to carry out their constitutional duties, found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 18; also called the elastic clause

Prospective voting a method of evaluating candidates in which voters focus on candidates' positions on issues important to them and vote for the candidates who best represent their views

attempting to influence policymakers through a variety of methods

Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925)

Patronage the system in which a party leader rewarded political supporters with jobs or government contracts in exchange for their support of the party

writ of habeas corpus

a brief submitted to the court by an interested third party that outlines issues it thinks are important in the case. amicus curiae literally means "friend of the court"

Off year election

voting a method of evaluating candidates in which voters evaluate incumbent candidates and decide whether to vote for them based on their past performances

Platform

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