The Constitution

A two-house legislature:

• Bicameral

• Checks and balances

• Elastic clause

• Enumerated powers

A key aspect of the Constitution of the United States protecting the balance of power among the three branches of government. The concept was first suggested by James Madison in the Federalist Papers.

• Federalism

• Bicameral

• Checks and balances

• Judicial Review

Consists of presidential electors from each state. The number of electors is based on the state's population. The states with the greatest population have the most electoral votes. When the voter casts a vote for president, in reality the vote goes to one of the presidential electors designated by the candidate in that state. The number of electors for each state equals the number of senators and representatives that state has in Congress. The majority with a majority of the electoral votes is elected to office.

• Separation of Powers

• Bicameral

• Judicial Review

• Electoral College

Found in Article I Section 8 of the Constitution, it gives Congress the power to make "all laws necessary and proper" to carry out the other defined powers of Congress.

• Elastic Clause

• Ex post facto laws

• Reserved Power Amendment

• Supremacy Clause

Delegated powers of Congress, including the power to collect taxes, pay debts, provide for the common defense and general welfare, regulate commerce among the states, coin money, and declare war.

• Executive privilege

• Judicial review

• Enumerated powers

• Elastic Clause

Laws that take effect after the act takes place. Congress is prohibited from enacting this type of legislation.

• Reserved power amendment

• Ex post facto laws

• Supremacy clause

• Executive privilege

The ability of the president to protect personal matters.

• Privileges and immunities

• Supremacy clause

• Enumerated powers

• Executive privilege

The overall division of power between the federal government and state governments; as defined in the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution. It specifically tells the states that they have reserved power. Powers not delegated to the government by the Constitution are given to the respective states.

• Federalism

• Full faith and credit

• Unwritten Constitution

• Preamble

The phrase used to describe the mutual respect and legality of laws, public records, and judicial decisions made by states.

• Ex post facto laws

• Reserved power Amendment

• Full faith and credit

• Privileges and immunities

Derived from the Marbury v. Madison decision, it gives the Supreme Court the power to interpret the Constitution and specifically acts of Congress , the president and the states.

• Supremacy Clause

• Executive Priveledge

• Judicial Review

• Reserved Power Amendment