Participation
List the 3 things REQUIRED by law for citizens to do.
Identify the term for the paper or electronic form citizens use to vote.
Ballot
What is the term for a person not born in the U.S. who comes to the nation to live?
Immigrant
During early America, who originally had access to vote? (4 requirements)
(1) white, (2) male, (3) landowner, (4) over 21 years old
What is a recall election?
Process of potentially removing an elected official before the end of their term of office
List the 4 things citizens VOLUNTARILY do as their civic responsibility.
(1) vote, (2) be informed on current issues, (3) perform public service, (4) respect differing opinions
What step must citizens take BEFORE being able to vote in an election?
Register to vote with their Secretary of State's office
What are the 2 ways to become a U.S. citizen by birth?
(1) be born on U.S. soil, (2) be born to parents who are U.S. citizens
What did the 19th Amendment do?
Gave women the right to vote
What is a referendum?
Process by which voters can approve, change, or repeal laws that have been passed by the state legislature
Why is it necessary for citizens to pay taxes? How does the government use that money?
Taxes are used to pay for public benefits that citizens receive from the government
*government workers & common services such as police officers, firefighters, public highways, libraries, public parks, and schools.
Identify at least one reason citizens should vote.
Varied Responses -
Voting allows citizens to express their desires to elected officials.
During the naturalization interview, applicants must show knowledge and understanding of what?
What did the 15th Amendment do?
Made it illegal to stop someone from voting based on race or "previous condition of servitude"
What is an initiative?
Process by which citizens can propose new laws and vote on whether those laws should take effect
Identify the executive agency that keeps track of citizens who could potentially be used to serve military duty.
Selective Service
What is the term for the location that citizens go to in order to vote in person on Election Day?
Polling Location
What is naturalization?
The formal process to become a U.S. citizen
What did the 26th Amendment do?
Changed voting age from 21 to 18
Why would citizens want to have a recall election?
If the elected official has committed a crime, mishandled the office, or somehow displeased the voters they represent
If chosen to serve on a jury, what role/job do citizens have?
The jury hears evidence in another citizen's court case and determines whether that person is guilty or innocent of their accused crime.
What are the THREE requirements of eligibility to vote?
(1) U.S. citizen, (2) 18 years or older, (3) not a felon
(1) at least 18 years old, (2) legal resident of the U.S. for 5 years, (3) be of "good moral character"
What did the 24th Amendment do?
Banned poll taxes
Explain how the initiative and/or referendum process represents elements of a direct democracy.
Both initiatives and referendums are methods of citizens taking control of the legislative process in their state and either limiting the power of the state legislature or bypassing it all together