Principles & Provisions
What are the basic requirements for voting in the U.S.?
Citizenship, age (18 or older), and residency
What is the main responsibility of the Legislative Branch?
To make laws (legislate laws).
What is the main responsibility of the Executive Branch?
To enforce laws (execute laws)
What is the main responsibility of the Judicial Branch?
To interpret laws
What is the Illinois Legislative Branch called?
General Assembly
How many amendments are there to the US Constitution? Why so few?
27 amendments; the process to amend the Constitution is intentionally difficult to ensure stability.
What two bodies make up Congress?
The House of Representatives and The Senate.
What are the formal qualifications for the president?
Natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, resident for 14 years
List one of the 3 court jurisdictions and explain their responsibility.
Original Jurisdiction - first hearing of a case
Appellate Jurisdiction - Review over lower court decision
Concurrent Jurisdiction - Multiple court systems involved in a case (state, federal)
What are the Qualifications of an Illinois Legislature?
U.S. citizen, 21 years old, resident of the district for 2 years.
What is the legal term for the right to vote?
Suffrage
What are implied powers of Congress?
Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to execute expressed powers.
How many total electoral votes are there in each election? How many does a candidate need to win the election?
538. 270.
What is Judicial Review? What is the case that introduced this concept to the Constitution?
The power to declare laws unconstitutional; Marbury v. Madison
What is the main difference between the Governor's Cabinet and the President's Cabinet?
Illinois officials are often elected, not appointed.
Name one of the six key principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Popular Sovereignty: The power lies with the people.
Federalism: Division of power between federal and state governments.
Separation of Powers: Division of government into three branches.
Checks & Balances: Each branch has powers to check the others.
Judicial Review: Courts can declare laws unconstitutional.
Limited Government: The government is restricted by the Constitution.
What is reapportionment?
Redistribution of House seats after a census to reflect population changes.
Name one of the 7 roles of the President and explain their responsibilities
Commander in Chief, Chief Executive, Chief Diplomat, Legislative Leader, Economic Planner, Party Leader, Head of State.
How long is the term for a Supreme Court Justice?
Life tenure, subject to good behavior.
List the 3 types of Illinois Courts.
Circuit Court, Appellate Court, Supreme Court
How has the right to vote expanded over the course of U.S. history?
Through amendments like the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th, extending voting rights to more groups.
What is the source of implied powers? What clause in the Constitution allows Congress these implied powers?
The Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)
What are the formal duties of the VP as stated in the constitution?
Preside over the Senate, and help determine presidential disability
What are the formal qualifications of a Supreme Court Justice as listed in the Constitution?
None specified in the Constitution.
What is a unique power of the Illinois Governor that the President does not have with regards to passing a bill?
Line-item veto.