1. Apportionment- distribution of representatives among the states based on the population of each state.
2. Politics- method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government.
3. Elastic Clause- the necessary and proper clause, article 1, section 8, clause 18 that allows Congress to pass laws to carry out it's powers.
4. General election- voters choose officeholder from among all the candidates nominated by political parties or running as independents.
5. Direct primary- party members vote to nominate their candidate for the general election.
6. Extradition- states may return fugitives to a state from which they have fled to avoid criminal prosecution at the request of the states governor.
7. Amicus curiae brief- friend of the court; interested groups may be invited to file legal beside supporting or rejecting arguments of the case.
8. Watergate- break-in at the democratic national committee headquarters at the watergate building in 1972 that resulted in a cover-up and the subsequent resignation of president Nixon.
9. Majority leader- the elected leader of the party with the most seats in the house of reps or senate.
10. Off-year election- an election taking place in a year when no presidential elections are occurring; midterm election.
11. Gridlock- when opposing parties and interests often block each others proposals, creating a political stalemate or inaction between the executive and legislative branches of government.
12. Legislative veto- to reject the actions of the president or executive agency by a vote of one or both houses of congress without the consent of the president; ruled unconstitutional by the supreme court on immigration and naturalized services v. Chadha.
13. Impoundment- refusal of the president to spend money congress has appropriated.
14. Front- loading- choosing an early date to hold the primary election.
15. Marbury v. Madison- established the principle of judicial review.
16. Initiative- allows voters to petition to propose legislation and then submit I for a vote by qualified voters.
17. Political ideology- a consistent set of beliefs about politics and public policy that sets the framework for evaluating government and public policy.
18. Limited government- basic principle of US government cannot take away.
19. Media event- a speech or photo opportunity staged to give a politicians view on an issue.
20. Discretionary spending- spending set by the government through appropriations bills, including operating expenses and salaries of government employees.
21. Popular sovereignty- basic principle of US government which holds that he people are the source of al governmental power.
22. Democracy- a system whereby the people rule either directly or by elected representation
