Final Exam Flashcards
How is an amendment proposed?
By Congress with a 2/3 vote from senate and House
Constitutional convention called by 2/3 state legislatures
How is an amendment ratified?
Legislatures in 3/4 of states
Each state to call a special ratifying convention
15th amendment
Voting rights for newly freed slaves
19th amendment
Women’s right to vote
23rd amendment
Citizens of Washington DC given right to vote and treated like a state
24th amendment
Ban of poll tax
26th amendment
Voting are from 21 to 18
What is an amicus cruise brief
Person or group who is not a party but has a strong interest in an issue and submits a brief to influence the court
What is cloture
2/3 majority vote to end filibuster
What role does the house hav in presidential elections
If no candidate receives a majority of electoral college then house decides
Role of conference committee
Includes members of house and senate to work out difference between similar bills
Importance of Connecticut (great) Compromise
Providing big and small states with equal representation in Senate and House
Requirements for house
25 years old
Citizen for past 7 years
Inhabitant of state
Requirements for senate
30 years old
Citizen for past 9 years
Inhabitant of state
Requirements for president
35 years old
Resident for 14 years
Natural born citizen
Constitutional powers of pres
Commander in chief
Chief executive of gov
Head of state and powers in foreign affairs
Chief legislator
Basic principles of us democracy
Popular sovereignty Limited gov Separation of powers Checks and balances Judicial review Federalism
Features of electoral college
Winner take all system in 48 states
When house decides all members get one vote
State electoral ballots are opened and counted before a joint session of Congress
Enumerated powers
Powers of federal gov that are described in the constitution
Power of the purse
Congress has the day of where money goes
How does executive order differ from a law
Executive order doesn’t have to go through legislative process
Federalism
Power divided between national and state gov
Five protections of 5th amendment
Grand jury to felonies Double jeopardy Self incrimination Eminend domain (take property) Nor be deprived of life liberty property
Establishment clause
Prohibits gov from making laws based on religion
Purpose of filibuster and who benefits
Delay or block a vote from happening in senate
Minority
Role of house in impeachment
Majority of members must vote for charges of impeachment
Role of senate in impeachment
Try impeachment cases
Judicial review
Deciding if presidential actions are unconstitutional
Supreme court case that established judicial review
Marbury v Madison
Examples of limited gov
Constitution
State constitution
Powers of house
Initiate revenue bills
Impeach federal officers
Elect president in case of tie
Powers of senate
Conduct impeachment trials
Approve/reject presidents appointees
Approve treaties w 2/3 vote
What kind of gov did the framers want
Representative republic
Rule of four in Supreme Court
4/9 justices can grant a writ of certiorari
What ores appointment does senate have to confirm
Cabinet secretaries
Federal judges
Ambassadors
What change did the 16th amendment make to election of senators
Direct election of senators
Social contact theory
John Locke
People have naturally given rights to life, liberty and property
Supremacy clause
Constitution is supreme law of land
Please v Ferguson
“Separate but equal” and set back civil rights
Map v Ohio
Evidence obtained I violation of 4th amendment “unreasonable searches and seizures” can’t be used
Gideon v Wainwright
States are required to provide legal counsel to indigent defendants charged W a felony
Miranda v Arizona
Confession can’t be used against them if they didn’t know their rights
Importance of 3/5 compromise
Outline the process for states to count slaves as part of population to determine representation and taxation
Role of Vice President
Vote in senate deadlock
Preside and certify official vote count of electoral college
Writ of certiorari
Orders a lower court to deliver it’s record in a case so that the higher court may review it
Writ of habeas corpus
Requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge especially to secure there release
