a presidential election is won by the candidate who receives the majority of electoral college votes

part of the election process in which voters nominate a party's candidates

a way for citizens to approve or reject a state or local law

location where voting takes place

Citizens who are unable to vote at the polls on election day can vote by absentee ballot

How can citizens get proposals for new laws on the general election ballot? they can start a petition

U.S. citizen, 18 years old, registered voter

this body is made of 538 electors from the 50 states and the District of Columbia

a process required of citizens before they are allowed to vote in elections

to convince the public to vote for a certain candidate

people who unite to promote their beliefs about an issue

representative of an interest group who contacts lawmakers or other government officials directly to influence their policy making

a type of law that tries to protect reporters from having to reveal their sources.

Polls with questions that try to influence respondents' answers are called __Push__ polls.

impartial public-interest group working on issues such as voter education

process of drawing the boundaries of legislative representation

state official who makes sure that money is used in state departments and agencies according to state law

What are some concurrent powers? taxing, borrowing, eminent domain, establishing criminal codes and otherwise maintaining law and order, and spending to promote the general welfare of citizens

What are some reserved powers? regulating intrastate trade and commerce (businesses within a state), creating public schools, issuing professional licenses, establishing local governments, and passing voting laws.

What are some expressed powers? declare war, coin money, regulate interstate commerce, raise an army and navy, and collect taxes

power to reject specific parts of a bill

article in the U.S. Constitution stating that laws made by Congress shall by the highest law of the land

To remove a state judge from office for improper actions usually requires investigation, a board's recommendation for removal, and finally, removal by the state supreme court.

During the 1800s, the county courthouse served as the center as a county's government.

The mayor-council form of government is based on the concept separation of powers.

A person elected to office at the local level acting as a major component of the executive branch mayor.

This allows cities to rewrite their own charters, choose their own type of government, and manage their own affairs.

Local governments provide services such as police and fire protection, schools, and road maintenance.

The biggest source of money that comes from the county itself is property tax.

When residents of a community form a village, they usually experience better services.

Normally the largest territorial and political subdivision of a state is a county.

County usually provides sewer and water services.

To incorporate is to receive a state charter officially recognizing the government of a locality.

A community's system of roads, bridges, water, and sewers is called infrastructure.

Ideas for public policy must come from the government.

Because the U.S. Constitution does not mention education, power over public education belongs to the states.

Factors that make it a challenge for schools to provide a quality education for all children include lack of funding, low test scores, and high dropout rates.

A certificate issued by the government providing money for education payments, allowing families the option of sending students to private schools.

A town with higher property values gets less tax revenues than a town where property is worth less.

The recent rise of testing in public schools can be explained partly by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

A short-term plan is a government policy being carried out over the next few years.

Problems that occur in communities that use landfills include releasing of toxic gases, creating greenhouse effect, destruction of ecosystems, contamination of water sources, and eutrophication of soil.

Which group is sometimes referred to as the highway patrol? State police.

The Supreme Court has ruled the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.

Which type of law is involved if a defendant argues that he or she is the victim of an unreasonable search?

legal opinions that become part of the common law

a safeguard against being kept in jail unlawfully

Cases involving a violation of local, state, or federal laws

Cases involving one party attempting to seek payment or resolution of damages caused by another party; cases not involving a crime

a law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court

protect against self-incrimination

A civil lawsuit concerning a complaint of negligence is most likely to involve

In a juvenile case, who may decide how the case will be handled

A process by which lawyers have the opportunity to check facts and gather evidence before the trial

A lesser crime

A more serious crime

The punishment given to someone found guilty of committing a crime

In a criminal law case, what is the role of the government?

Who presents first in a civil trial?

a child or teenager who commits a serious crime or repeatedly breaks the law

In the United States, prices are established primarily through

The study of how people make decisions with limited resources

This forces people in nations to make economic choices

Government oversees market functions and provides some services

Customs and habits answer economic questions

Supply and demand answer economic questions

Government agencies answer economic questions

When thinking like an economist, one should accept an option when

The total value of goods and services produced divided by the population

Typically assessed by the availability of goods, services, and luxuries

Illustrates the flow of goods and services and interactions among households, businesses, and banks

Describes the efficiency of resource use in producing goods and services

Refers to the concentration on goods or services that can be produced better than others

The breaking down of a job into smaller tasks performed individually

The act of buyers and sellers engaging in market transactions freely

The encouragement for individuals and organizations to improve their material well-being

The freedom to own and use property as long as it does not interfere with others' rights

To ensure fair competition and protect property rights

The primary purpose is to educate consumers about budgeting and product purchasing

Buying items on a whim or impulse without careful thought

Primarily used for paying monthly bills

Dividend payments

Earning the same amount as you spend

Originally proposed by JFK

A monthly record tracking income and expenses

Represents borrowing money

Annual Percentage Rate

Wise to cover unforeseen financial needs

To test public reaction to an idea

true

false

true

false

true

true

true

true

consumers

prices are too high

Napoleon