St Petersburg College Civic Literacy Comprehensive Study Guide-Expert Verified Questions & Answers 2025.

Democracy -Correct Answer Type of government where power is derived from the people, either directly or indirectly. Representative Democracy or Democratic Republic -Correct Answer An indirect or a representative democracy where eligible voters choose representatives to act on their behalf and make political decisions. Constitutional Democracy -Correct 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 -Correct 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 -Correct 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 -Correct Answer Principle 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 -Correct Answer Refers 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 -Correct Answer No 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 -Correct Answer Fair treatment through the normal judicial system. Equality under the Law -Correct Answer Equal treatment and equal protection without the guarantee of equal outcomes. Popular Sovereignty -Correct Answer A belief that ultimate power resides in the people. Natural rights -Correct Answer Rights 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 -Correct Answer A political system in which power is divided between a central government and multiple constituent, provincial, or state governments. Concurrent powers -Correct Answer Powers that are held by both the federal and the local governments (e.g. taxing, roads, elections, lower courts). Equal Protection Clause -Correct Answer Clause 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 -Correct Answer Grants 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 -Correct Answer Provides that the President of the United States is elected by the Electoral College. Electoral College -Correct Answer The 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 -Correct Answer Be 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 -Correct Answer Florida has 67 counties. Each county has an elected Supervisor, who conducts elections within his or her county. Preamble to the Constitution -Correct Answer The 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." Article I of the United States Constitution -Correct Answer Legislative Branch (Congress). The United States Congress is bicameral, consisting of two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate. Congress is the branch that is responsible for making the laws. Other powers include commerce, taxing, roads, defense, war, citizenship, etc. The founders gave the most powers to this branch because it is made up of many representatives elected directly by the people. House of Representatives -Correct Answer The lower chamber of the US Congress. The number of representatives from each state is based on population and each representative is elected by a district in their state. Its members serve 2-year terms. Also, revenue and taxing bills must originate in the House. Speaker of the House of Representatives -Correct Answer The leader of the majority party who serves as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives and who is second in line to the Presidency after Vice-President. Senate -Correct Answer The upper chamber of the US Congress with 100 members, 2 from each state. Senators serve 6-year terms and represent all of their state's citizens. They also have the power to approve treaties as well as judicial and executive appointments. President pro tempore of the Senate -Correct Answer Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the Vice President who is the President of the Senate. The President pro tempore is third in line to the Presidency after Speaker. Bill -Correct Answer A statute in draft before it becomes law.