Local Government
Form of city government that gives legislative and executive power to a small body, usually of five members
Commission
How most people participate in the political system
vote
A party system in which each party offers clear
policy alternatives and holds their elected officials responsible for enacting
these policies in office
Responsible party model
Enacting laws, approving budgets, serving constituents, overseeing state agencies, and considering constitutional amendments, gubernatorial appointments, and
state courts are all functions of what/who
state legislatures
how long is the legislative session in Texas
140 days
Type of local election system where candidates are chosen by voters in separate geographically
defined districts
Single-member district systems:
Someone who will vote only if the personal benefits outweigh the costs
rational voter
A type of primary which any voter can cast their ballot for any party, even if the voter is not officially affiliated with that party
open primary
is the determination of the proportional number of members each US state sends to the House of Representatives, based on population figures.
apportionment
United States Supreme Court case in which the Court ruled that the electoral districts of state legislative chambers must be roughly equal in population
Reynolds v Sims
A unit of local government that performs a single
service in a limited geographic area
Special district
Voter requirements in Texas
1. Citizen of the U.S.
2. At least 18 years old
3. Resident of the state for 30 days
method of election in which voters can oust elected officials before their official terms have ended
recall election
is the political manipulation of electoral district boundaries with the intent to create undue advantage for a party, group, or socioeconomic class within the constituency
gerrymandering
What are the requirement for election to the Texas State Legislature
A senator must be at least 26 years of age, a resident of Texas for five years prior to election and a resident of the district from which elected one year prior to election
How local governments derive their revenue
Taxes (Property, sales and income)
These states have higher voter turnout
swing states
Who's responsibilities are to raise money for future campaigns, recruit candidates to run for the party, and run the party's day-to-day operations.
national party committees
type of legislative session that convenes every two years and may last no more than 140 days
regular session
How is legislative leadership chosen
a caucus
The two types of special districts
school district and nonschool special district
Amendment passed in 1964 that banned poll taxes
24th Amendment
Case that ruled that federal courts have the authority to enforce the 14th amendment if the state legislative districts are disproportionately populated.
Baker v Carr
when a committee stops action on a bill it deems unwise or unnecessary, which kills the bill or stops its progress
pigeonholing
_ amendment banned race discrimination, and _ amendment banned gender discrimination
15th and 19th