Judicial Branch

Question 1

Dark Money

Answer 1

Political spending by organizations that are not required to disclose their donors

Question 2

Voter Fraud

Answer 2

Illegal interference with the election process, such as casting multiple ballots, impersonating another voter, or tampering with ballots or voting machines

Question 3

Voter Suppression

Answer 3

Efforts or policies that deliberately make it harder for certain groups of people to vote (minorities, younger people, etc.)

Question 4

Gerry-mandering

Answer 4

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party or group, (concentrating or diluting the voting power of particular demographics)

Question 5

Initiative and Referendum

Answer 5

• Initiative: A process that allows citizens to propose and vote directly on laws
• Referendum: A process where voters approve or reject laws or policies

Question 6

Redistricting

Answer 6

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, usually after the census, to reflect population changes

Question 7

Campaign Finance Laws

Answer 7

Regulations governing the raising and spending of money by candidates, parties, and interest groups during elections

Question 8

Citizens United

Answer 8

A landmark 2010 Supreme Court case that ruled corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on political campaigns (led to the rise of Super PACs)

Question 9

Shelby v. Holder

Answer 9

A 2013 Supreme Court decision that invalidated key parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, reducing federal oversight of voting laws in certain states and allowing changes without pre-approval.

Question 10

Writ of Certiorari

Answer 10

An order by the Supreme Court to review a lower court’s decision

Question 11

Judicial Precedent

Answer 11

The principle that courts should follow the rulings of previous cases when deciding new cases with similar facts or legal questions

Question 12

Judicial Review

Answer 12

The power of courts, especially the Supreme Court, to examine laws or government actions (and invalidate those that violate the Constitution)

Question 13

The Supreme Court

Answer 13

The highest court in the United States (has the final authority on interpreting the Constitution and federal law)

Question 14

The Shadow Docket

Answer 14

A term describing Supreme Court decisions made without full briefing or oral arguments (typically used for emergency rulings)

Question 15

What are some WA State election policies?

Answer 15

• Mail-in Voting
• ID not required to vote
• Accessible Voting Options
• Election Security Measures
  (cybersecurity measures)
• Automatic Voter Registration
• Same-Day Voter Registration
  (register on election day)

Question 16

How has the role of parties changed over the last several decades?

Answer 16

Political parties have shifted from being powerful local organizations to more national, ideologically driven entities

(Candidates now run more personalized campaigns, parties have become more polarized, and fundraising relies less on party structures and more on outside money)