Three Branches Vocab

Question 1

action or result of appointing something

Answer 1

apportionment

Question 2

general election held in the odd-numbered years when neither president election nor midterm election takes place

Answer 2

off year election

Question 3

Manipulate boundaries of electoral districts to favor one party

Answer 3

Gerrymander

Question 4

Body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to the legislative body

Answer 4

Constituency

Question 5

Powers of the national government that are explicitly stated in the constitution

Answer 5

Expressed powers

Question 6

Political powers granted to us government that aren’t explicitly stated in the constitution

Answer 6

Implied powers

Question 7

Powers of a state or branch of government that aren’t explicitly written in a constitution

Answer 7

Inherent powers

Question 8

Type of intellectual property that protects original works of authorship when the author fixes it to be theirs

Answer 8

Copyright

Question 9

Principal agency of the US federal statistical system that collects data about the American people and the economy

Answer 9

Cencus

Question 10

An exclusive right granted for an invention

Answer 10

patent

Question 11

Process of acquiring private property for public use

Answer 11

Eminent domain

Question 12

To charge with misconduct

Answer 12

impeach

Question 13

second in line to succeed president after VP

Answer 13

speaker of the house

Question 14

Third in line to succeed after VP and speaker of the house

Answer 14

President pro tempore

Question 15

Form used for most legislation and legislative proposal before congress

Answer 15

bill

Question 16

Additional provision added to a bill or other measure under consideration by a legislature

Answer 16

rider

Question 17

Action designed to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill, resolution, amendment, etc.

Answer 17

Fillibuster

Question 18

Procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote

Answer 18

cloture

Question 19

Head of state or officer in supreme command of a country’s armed forces

Answer 19

Commander in chief

Question 20

a vote cast by member of electoral college

Answer 20

electoral vote

Question 21

Body whose task is to elect a candidate to a particular office

Answer 21

electoral college

Question 22

set of principles, goals, and strategies designed to address pressing political issues

Answer 22

platform

Question 23

A directive by president that manages operations of federal government

Answer 23

Executive order

Question 24

Gives someone right to issue executive orders or proclamations

Answer 24

Ordinance power

Question 25

Agreement between heads of government of 2+ nations that the legislature hasn't ratified as treaties are ratified

Answer 25

executive agreement

Question 26

Allows society to identify certain government pronouncements as "law" and give them binding authority

Answer 26

recognition powers

Question 27

An unacceptable or unwelcome person

Answer 27

persona non grata

Question 28

Authorizes the chief executive to reject particular provisions of a bill enacted by a legislature without vetoing the entire bill

Answer 28

Lin item veto

Question 29

Temporary suspension of prison sentence to release offender under conditions

Answer 29

reprieve

Question 30

Allows a person to be relieved of some or all of the legal consequences resulting from a criminal conviction

Answer 30

pardon

Question 31

Power of president or state governor to pardon a criminal or to commute a sentence

Answer 31

clemency

Question 32

Reducing or lessening a sentence of punishment resulting from a criminal conviction

Answer 32

commutation

Question 33

A government pardon for a person or group of persons who violated policies related to immigration

Answer 33

amnesty

Question 34

general trial courts of the federal court system

Answer 34

federal district court

Question 35

usually sits in a panel of 3 judges to determine whether law was applied correctly

Answer 35

circuit court of appeals

Question 36

highest court in federal judiciary of US

Answer 36

Supreme court

Question 37

a specific court has the sole authority to hear and decide a particular type of case, excluding all other courts from doing so. courts

Answer 37

exclusive jurisdiction

Question 38

multiple courts or governmental bodies have the authority to hear and decide the same case

Answer 38

Concurrent jurisdiction

Question 39

Court's authority to hear and decide a case for the first time before appellate review occurs

Answer 39

Original jurisdiction

Question 40

Power to reverse or modify lower court's decision

Answer 40

Appellate jurisdiction

Question 41

Orders a lower court to deliver its record in a case so higher courts may review it

Answer 41

Writ of certiorari

Question 42

Judicial opinion that is joined by more than half of judges deciding a case

Answer 42

Majority opinion

Question 43

Court decision considered an authority for deciding subsequent cases involving identical or similar facts or similar legal issues

Answer 43

Precedent

Question 44

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.

Answer 44

Concurring opinion

Question 45

Opinion was written by an appellate judge or Supreme Court justice who disagrees with majority opinion in a case

Answer 45

dissenting opinion

Question 46

Written statement submitted in a trial or appellate proceeding that explains one side's legal and factual arguments

Answer 46

briefs

Question 47

Argument submitted to a court by a non-party to a case

Answer 47

Amicus Curiae Brief

Question 48

Granting petition for review only if there are at least four votes to do so

Answer 48

rule of four