Quizlet Governing the States

Print Options

This box will be automatically hidden when printing. ← Back to Set Page


  1. Attorney General: Chief LEGAL officer
  2. Bicameral: Legislative body with two chambers
  3. Board of Supervisors: Elected governing body within a particular county
  4. Bureaucracy: Large complex administrative structure that handles business of a coutny government
  5. Clemenency: MERCY and LENIENCY granted to an offender by a chief executive
  6. Commutation: Power to REDUCE the length of a sentence or fine for a crime
  7. County: Major unit of local gov't in each state
  8. General Assembly: Legislative branch made up of Senate and House of Delegates
  9. Governor: Executive officer in each state
  10. Home Rule: Demand that constituent parts of a state be given sel-government
  11. Initiative: A process in which a certain number of qualified voters sign petitions in favor of a proposal
  12. Item Veto: Governor may veto one or more items in a bill without rejecting the entire measure
  13. Legislator Qualifications: Citizenship, Residence, Age--Reps. 21 Sen. 25 -- Elected by pop. vote--Term, 2 to 4 yrs
  14. Lieutenant Governor: President of the senate
  15. Limtied Governvernment: Gov.t is restricted in what it may do, individuals has rights that gov.t cannot take away
  16. Pardon: Release from punishment or legal consequences of a crime, the President or governor
  17. Parole: Releases a prisoner before the end of his term or sentence
  18. Police Power: Power to protect and promote the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare.
  19. Popular Sovereignty: People recognized as the sole source of authority for governemnt
  20. Precedent: Court decision that stands as an example to be followed in future, similar cases
  21. Recall: Voters may remove an elected official from office before completion of his or her regular term
  22. Referendum: Legislative measure referred to state's voters for final approval ot rejection.
  23. Reprieve: POSTPONMENT of an execution of a sentence
  24. School Board: Elected governing body who manages a school district
  25. Secretary of State: Chief clerk and record keeper of the State
  26. State Constitution: Fundamental or Basic laws of each state which may not be easily changed
  27. Statutory Law: Law passed by the legistlature
  28. Unicameral: One house in legislature or legislative body with one chamber