Elections Media
An organization that is registered with the Federal Election Committee and donates money directly to a candidate or campaign.
What is a political action committee, (PAC)?
Powers that are given to an institution of government directly in the Constitution, such as Congress's power to tax.
What are expressed powers?
A system of government where power is shared between the national government and the states in which the states have some protected powers.
What is federalism?
a presidential directive
What is an executive order?
The right to vote.
What is suffrage?
Changing congressional district boundaries based on a new census.
What is redistricting?
The total number of voting members in the U.S. House of Representatives.
What is 435?
A system where the federal government and the states work together in funding and administering programs.
What is cooperative federalism?
When a president does not sign a bill within 10 days when Congress is not in session.
What is a pocket veto?
The power of the Supreme Court to overturn a law or executive action as unconstitutional.
What is judicial review?
An election in which voters select members of Congress but not the president.
What is a midterm election?
An officeholder who is running for re-election.
What is an incumbent?
Money given by the federal government to the states to be used for a narrowly defined purpose, and with "strings attached."
What are categorical grants?
Powers that are naturally held by the government of a sovereign nation, such as war.
What are inherent powers?
When a court follows precedent by letting a previous decision stand: "let the decision stand."
What is stare decisis?
The electoral system used to select members of the House of Representatives.
What are single-member districts?
Congressional committee hearing held to determine how well an agency is doing its job.
What is oversight?
A federal requirement that forces states to spend their own money.
What is an unfunded mandate?
The president's personal assistants and advisors; typically not subject to Senate confirmation
What is the White House staff?
The process by which the Bill of Rights has been applied to the states on a case-by-case basis through the 14th Amendment.
What is selective incorporation?
The process through which voters leave one of the major party coalitions and join the other major party's coalition.
What is a realignment?
When members of Congress trade votes for favors in order to get the bills they support passed.
What is logrolling?
A process by which the national government returns more power and authority back to the states.
What is devolution?
The time during which a president who has lost an election or has ended a second term is still in office before the new president serves.
What is a lame duck period?
An argument filed with a court by an individual or group who is not a party to a lawsuit, "friend of the court"
What is amicus curiae?