Political Processes
The main goal of a political party's platform
Stating the party's core beliefs and goals on public policy
The name for the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which were added when it was created
The Bill of Rights
The First Amendment freedom that protects the right of newspapers and television to publish information without government censorship
Freedom of the Press
The most important civic responsibility
Voting
The winner-take-all system used to formally elect the President and Vice President
The Electoral College
A person who watches the voting process at the polls to ensure that the election is fair and legal
Poll Watcher
The first plan of government for the U.S. that created a weak national government
The Articles of Confederation
The test that immigrants must pass to become a naturalized citizen
Civics
The basic civic duty of every citizen to pay money to the government to fund public services
Paying taxes
The minimum number of total electoral votes needed for a candidate to win the presidency
270
This group collects money from many people who share the same interests and then uses that money to help their favorite candidates win elections
Political Action Committee
The document written by Thomas Jefferson that declared the colonies' independence and stated, "all men are created equal"
Declaration of Independence
The last step of the naturalization process
The Oath of Allegiance
An important civic responsibility that involves giving time to a cause or organization without being paid for it
Volunteering
If a state increases in population, the state's number of electors would do this
Increase which would give the state more power in elections
After an election is over, political parties still influence the government by monitoring the actions of these people
Officeholders
This is the fraction of Congress that must agree to formally propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution
2/3
The amendment that protects people from being forced to testify against themselves in court
Fifth Amendment
One of the First Amendment freedoms which involves contacting elected officials, typically in writing
Petitioning the Government
In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, but Donald Trump won the election because he received more of these
Electoral Votes
In Virginia, before you cast a ballot you have to first do this
Register to vote
This is the fraction of states needed to ratify an amendment to the U.S. Constitution
3/4
This amendment is famous for three things: defining citizenship, guaranteeing due process for all states, and requiring equal protection under the law
The 14th Amendment
An example of how civic participation can address community needs
Tutoring children, cleaning parks, serving food to the homeless, etc.
The popular vote is the total individual votes nationwide, while the Electoral College vote is cast by these
State electors