US electoral system Flashcards
Organization of Federated States
Each state has its own constitution which specifies the organization of legislative, executive and judicial powers, largely inspired by the federal model as a rule. It has its own judicial organization, at the top of which is a Supreme Court.
Each state elects a governor and politicians to sit in the Senate and House of Representatives - the two chambers of the legislature.
Division of powers between Federal State and Federated States
The competences of the Federation are international relations, defense, international and interstate commerce, currency
Federal Organization of Executive, Legislative and Judicial Authorities
Federal power is divided into three separate branches of government - the president and his cabinet (the Executive), the two chambers of the US congress (the Legislature) and the courts (Judiciary)
Elections
The US holds elections every two years. Once every four years there is a presidential election, with congressional elections held at the same time.
Mid-terms elections take place in-between presidential elections, in the middle of the presidential term.
Elections for the House of Representatives are held every two years. Senators have six-year terms, with one-third elected every two years.
State governors serve four-year terms with about half up for election every two years.
Constitution
America declared its independence from Britain in 1776
Eleven years later, the 13 separate states joined together to form the US. At Philadelphia in 1787, a convention attended by the most important men of the day produced a written constitution (unlike to the UK)
It has four important principles : republicanism, federalism, the separation of the powers and checks and balances.
President
He proposes laws and the annual budget to Congress. He is commander-in-chief of the US armed forces. He is broadly responsible for foreign policy.
He can also veto bills passed in Congress (veto can be overriden if two-thirds of the Congress vote against it)
He cannot serve more than two terms.
His cabinet members are not elected and are not members of Congress
Congress
The Congress is responsible for passing laws and the budget. It has the power to declare war.
It has two chambers - the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Almost everyone in Congress is a Democrat or a Republican
The Senate
The Senate must approve treaties agreed to by the president. Senators must also approve the appointment of judges and many governments officials.
Every state has two senators (total 100) but the number of representatives depends on the population (total 435)
The Supreme Court
It has 9 judges (justices) who decide whether laws passed are in line with the constitution. The justices are nominated by the president and have to be approved by the Senate. They are appointed for life
