federal system

system in which powers are divided between the states and

the federal government

impeach

vote to bring serious charges against a president:

President Clinton was impeached by the House, but not removed

from office by the Senate in 1999

veto

cancel or reject a law; presidents have the power to veto bills

executive ordersExecutive orders

orders issued by the president that have the power of law

pardon

freedom from punishment; President Ford pardoned former

President Nixon

Thurgood Marshall

the first African American Supreme Court justice (judge)

Sandra Day O’Connor

the first female Supreme Court justice (judge)

James Madison

Father (main founder) of the Constitution

majority rule

the idea that policies are decided by the greatest number of people

petition

make a request of the government

search warrant

order that gives authorities permission to search someone’s

property

due process

fair use of the law

Indict (pronounced en-DYTE)

formally accuse

double jeopardy

sending someone to trial twice for the same crime; this is not

allowed by the U.S. Constitution

Also, part of the game show hosted by Alex Trebek that has twice the Point value of regular Jeopardy™

eminent domain

power to take personal property for public use

naturalized citizen

a person born in another country who has been granted citizenship

in the United States

deport

send back to one’s country of origin

draft

required military service

political action committees

groups that collect money for political candidates

influence

change or have an effect on

interest group

group of people with common interests who take political action