Democracy - answer Type of government where power is derived from the people,
either directly or indirectly.
Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic - answer An indirect or a
representative democracy where eligible voters choose representatives to act on their
behalf and make political decisions.
Constitutional Democracy - answer A government that draws its legitimacy from an
authoritative document (a constitution) that defines the nation's system of government,
its laws and usually the rights of its citizens. The Constitution is the supreme law of the
land. The Constitution describes who will make national laws, who will enforce them and
who will interpret it.
Social Contract Theory - answer The belief that people are free and equal by natural
right but will give up some freedom to give power to the government so that the
government can protect their rights.
Consent of the Governed - answer The idea that our government derives its power from
the people because we elect representatives to the legislative branch of government.
Checks and Balances - answerPrinciple reflected in the Constitution that grants each of
the three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) some control and scrutiny over
one another.
Separation of Powers - answerRefers to the division of government branches: each with
separate independent power and responsibilities, so that the powers of one branch do
not conflict with the others.
Rule of law - answerNo one is above the law; Everyone must follow the laws, regardless
of their position of power. This was established by the Magna Carta in 1215. Everyone
is equal under the law.
Due process of law - answerFair treatment through the normal judicial system.
Equality under the Law - answerEqual treatment and equal protection without the
guarantee of equal outcomes.
, Popular Sovereignty - answerA belief that ultimate power resides in the people.
Natural rights - answerRights people have by virtue of being human beings; both the
Declaration of Independence and Constitution address the government's role in
protecting these rights.
Federalism - answerA political system in which power is divided between a central
government and multiple constituent, provincial, or state governments.
Concurrent powers - answerPowers that are held by both the federal and the local
governments (e.g. taxing, roads, elections, lower courts).
Equal Protection Clause - answerClause in the Fourteenth Amendment that forbids any
state to deny to any person equal protection of the laws. This clause is the major
constitutional restraint on the power of governments to discriminate against persons
because of race, national origin, or sex.
Article I, Section 4, of the United States Constitution - answerGrants the states the
authority to determine the rules by which they elect their United States Senators and
Representatives, unless the United States Congress acts to change those rules.
Article II, Section 1, of the United States Constitution - answerProvides that the
President of the United States is elected by the Electoral College.
Electoral College - answerThe president is elected by a majority of electoral votes. After
an election a group of electors chosen by each state officially cast the electoral votes for
their state to choose the President.
Voter Registration requirements in Florida - answerBe a citizen of the United States of
America, a legal resident of Florida, a legal resident of the county in which you seek to
be registered, at least 16 years old to preregister or at least 18 years old to register and
vote. Not be a person who has been adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to
voting in Florida or any other state without having the right to vote restored; and, not be
a person convicted of a felony without having your right to vote restored.
County Supervisor of Elections - answerFlorida has 67 counties. Each county has an
elected Supervisor, who conducts elections within his or her county.
Preamble to the Constitution - answerThe opening section of the Constitution; brief
introductory statement of the fundamental purposes and guiding principles that the
Constitution is meant to serve.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the
general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do
ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
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