Three Branches Vocab Flashcards
action or result of appointing something
apportionment
general election held in the odd-numbered years when neither president election nor midterm election takes place
off year election
Manipulate boundaries of electoral districts to favor one party
Gerrymander
Body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to the legislative body
Constituency
Powers of the national government that are explicitly stated in the constitution
Expressed powers
Political powers granted to us government that aren’t explicitly stated in the constitution
Implied powers
Powers of a state or branch of government that aren’t explicitly written in a constitution
Inherent powers
Type of intellectual property that protects original works of authorship when the author fixes it to be theirs
Copyright
Principal agency of the US federal statistical system that collects data about the American people and the economy
Cencus
An exclusive right granted for an invention
patent
Process of acquiring private property for public use
Eminent domain
To charge with misconduct
impeach
second in line to succeed president after VP
speaker of the house
Third in line to succeed after VP and speaker of the house
President pro tempore
Form used for most legislation and legislative proposal before congress
bill
Additional provision added to a bill or other measure under consideration by a legislature
rider
Action designed to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill, resolution, amendment, etc.
Fillibuster
Procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote
cloture
Head of state or officer in supreme command of a country’s armed forces
Commander in chief
a vote cast by member of electoral college
electoral vote
Body whose task is to elect a candidate to a particular office
electoral college
set of principles, goals, and strategies designed to address pressing political issues
platform
A directive by president that manages operations of federal government
Executive order
Gives someone right to issue executive orders or proclamations
Ordinance power
Agreement between heads of government of 2+ nations that the legislature hasn’t ratified as treaties are ratified
executive agreement
Allows society to identify certain government pronouncements as “law” and give them binding authority
recognition powers
An unacceptable or unwelcome person
persona non grata
Authorizes the chief executive to reject particular provisions of a bill enacted by a legislature without vetoing the entire bill
Lin item veto
Temporary suspension of prison sentence to release offender under conditions
reprieve
Allows a person to be relieved of some or all of the legal consequences resulting from a criminal conviction
pardon
Power of president or state governor to pardon a criminal or to commute a sentence
clemency
Reducing or lessening a sentence of punishment resulting from a criminal conviction
commutation
A government pardon for a person or group of persons who violated policies related to immigration
amnesty
general trial courts of the federal court system
federal district court
usually sits in a panel of 3 judges to determine whether law was applied correctly
circuit court of appeals
highest court in federal judiciary of US
Supreme court
a specific court has the sole authority to hear and decide a particular type of case, excluding all other courts from doing so.
courts
exclusive jurisdiction
multiple courts or governmental bodies have the authority to hear and decide the same case
Concurrent jurisdiction
Court’s authority to hear and decide a case for the first time before appellate review occurs
Original jurisdiction
Power to reverse or modify lower court’s decision
Appellate jurisdiction
Orders a lower court to deliver its record in a case so higher courts may review it
Writ of certiorari
Judicial opinion that is joined by more than half of judges deciding a case
Majority opinion
Court decision considered an authority for deciding subsequent cases involving identical or similar facts or similar legal issues
Precedent
a written statement by a judge or justice who agrees with the majority opinion in a case, but for different or additional reasons, or to highlight a specific point not fully addressed in the majority opinion.
Concurring opinion
Opinion was written by an appellate judge or Supreme Court justice who disagrees with majority opinion in a case
dissenting opinion
Written statement submitted in a trial or appellate proceeding that explains one side’s legal and factual arguments
briefs
Argument submitted to a court by a non-party to a case
Amicus Curiae Brief
Granting petition for review only if there are at least four votes to do so
rule of four
