Test 2 Flashcards
what must judges do if cases are deemed “political questions”
dismiss the case
why is the political question doctrine a thing
it is rule judges put on themselves to demonstrate “due respect” for other branches (the questions arising would be better answered in other parts of government)
what is the big case that goes with the political question doctrine
Baker v Carr (luther v borden, calgrove v green)
what are the facts of luther v borden
- some states had not written their own constitution (still used charter from colonial times)
- citizens wanted state legislature to write constitution (sued under guarantee clause)
- “the united states shall guarantee a republican form of government”
what is the issue in luther v borden
can the supreme court make them have a certain form of government
what is the holding in luther v borden
- supreme court did not want to be involved in “political question”
- is not up to them to decide what a republican government is
what is malapportionment
when the number of voters in districts varies meaning the less number of people get more representation proportionally
what are the facts of calgrove v green (malapportionment case)
- people in urban area say they are being denied a republican form of government because they get more representation in less populated areas
- sue under article 4 same as luther v borden
what is the holding in calgrove v green
- dismiss due to non-justiciable political question
- follows same logic as luther v borden
what are the facts of Baker v Carr
- people in memphis/nashville say they are malapportioned
- instead of suing under guarantee clause they sue under equal protection of laws
- less representation means less protection under the law
what was the holding in Baker v Carr
- case is justiciable
- agree with the plaintiffs
what was the rationale in Baker v carr
Sets up the rules for what a political question is
what are the first 2 rules determining the political question doctrine
- textually demonstrable commitment to another branch of government
- lack of judicially manageable standards to resolve the issue
how did Baker v Carr fit into the political question test
- equal protection clause does not show commitment to another branch
- justices use equal protection all the time in their decisions as a remedy
what are the 2 steps to the impeachment process
- bring the articles of impeachment to the house (1/2 has to agree to impeach)
- 2/3 of the senate has to vote to remove official
what are the facts of US v Nixon (judge not president)
- federal judge accused of taking bribes
- convicted of perjury (lying) for 5 years
- refused to resign so house impeaches him and vote moves to senate
- senate delegates a Subcommittee and Nixon sues because FULL senate did not try him
what is the holding in US vs Mixon
- court dismisses case due to political question
- art 1 sec 2/3 says senate will have “sole authority” to deal with impeachments (also a textual commitment to another branch)
- judges should also not be the ones to review these decisions since they are impeached the most
what is the roadmap of the constitution for article 1
sec 1- vests legislative power in congress
sec 2- establishes house and rules
sec 3- establishes senate and rules
what level of agreement does the senate need for treaties
2/3
where and what does the qualifications clause say
art 1 sec 5 “each house shall be the judge of elections, returns, and qualifications of its members”
what are the 2 ways to interpret the qualifications clause
- each house is able to set additional qualifications along with the current ones
- qualifications are limited to the ones prescribed in art 1 sec 2/3
what are the facts in Powell v Mccormick
- representative from new york
- congress doesn’t like him constituents do
- gets into legal difficulties and congress refused to let him take his seat even though he met requirements in constitution
what is the issue in Powell v MCcormick
can congress add qualifications beyond the constitution
what is the holding in Powell v Mccormick
no they cannot add more qualifications than listed in constitution