The Top 60 Terms to help you Comprehend Constitutional Amendments XI-XXVII

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words only definitions & notes
  1. writ of election
    a writ ordering the holding of an election
    When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, that the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to mak
  2. pro tempore
    for the time being
    Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a
  3. elector
    a citizen who has a legal right to vote
    But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is
  4. abridge
    lessen, diminish, or curtail
    No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person withi
  5. inoperative
    not working or taking effect
    This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the St
  6. ratified
    formally approved and invested with legal authority
    Ratified June 15, 1804.
  7. amendment
    a statement that is added to a proposal or document
    Amendment XII

    Passed by Congress December 9, 1803.
  8. equal protection of the laws
    a right guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution and by the due-process clause of the Fifth Amendment
    No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its j
  9. naturalize
    make into a citizen
    All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.
  10. executive department
    a federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States
    Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Repre
  11. President
    the person who holds the office of head of state of the United States government
    The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as Pr
  12. intoxicate
    make drunk (with alcoholic drinks)
    After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdict
  13. supersede
    take the place or move into the position of
    Note: A portion of Article II, section 1 of the Constitution was superseded by the 12th amendment.
  14. Congress
    the legislature of the United States government
    Amendment XII

    Passed by Congress December 9, 1803.
  15. Constitution
    the constitution written at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and subsequently ratified by the original thirteen states
    Note: A portion of Article II, section 1 of the Constitution was superseded by the 12th amendment.
  16. poll tax
    an amount to be paid as a requirement for voting
    The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United
  17. enforce
    compel to behave in a certain way
    Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
  18. elect
    choose by a vote for an office or membership
    The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. the electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors o
  19. construe
    make sense of; assign a meaning to
    The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
  20. apportion
    distribute according to a set plan or special purpose
    Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.
  21. House of Representatives
    the lower legislative assembly of the United States Congress
    The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President
  22. quorum
    a gathering of the minimal number of members of a group
    But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states sh
  23. due process of law
    (law) the administration of justice according to established rules and principles; based on the principle that a person cannot be deprived of life or liberty or property without appropriate legal procedures and safeguards
    No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person withi
  24. apportionment
    the act of distributing according to a plan
    The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
  25. legislature
    an assembly that makes, amends, or repeals laws
    But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is
  26. apportioned
    given out in portions
    Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.
  27. prohibit
    command against
    After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction the
  28. ballot
    a document listing the alternatives that is used in voting
    The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as Pr
  29. concurrent
    occurring or operating at the same time
    The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
  30. Senate
    the upper house of the United States Congress
    The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President
  31. importation
    the commercial activity of buying goods from another country
    After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdict
  32. assemble
    create by putting components or members together
    The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
  33. ratification
    making something valid by formally confirming it
    After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdict
  34. exportation
    the activity of selling goods to a foreign country
    After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdict
  35. insurrection
    organized opposition to authority
    No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or a
  36. jurisdiction
    the territory within which power can be exercised
    Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States , or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
  37. constitutionally
    according to the constitution
    But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.
  38. servitude
    the state of being required to labor for someone else
    Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States , or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
  39. entitle
    give the right to
    The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as Congress may direct:

    A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which
  40. majority
    the main part
    The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President
  41. nominate
    propose as a candidate for some honor
    Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
  42. operative
    producing a desired effect
    But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which th
  43. intervene
    be placed or located between other things
    No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.
  44. validity
    the quality of being legitimate and rigorous
    The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.
  45. executive
    a person responsible for the administration of a business
    But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is
  46. immunity
    the condition in which an organism can resist disease
    No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person withi
  47. reside
    live in
    All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.
  48. eligible
    qualified for or allowed or worthy of being chosen
    But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.
  49. suppress
    put down by force or authority
    The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned.
  50. deprive
    take away
    No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person withi
  51. census
    a periodic count of the population
    The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.
  52. emancipation
    freeing someone from the control of another
    But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations a
  53. violation
    an act that disregards an agreement or a right
    The transportation or importation into any State, territory, or Possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
  54. requisite
    necessary for relief or supply
    The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. the electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors o
  55. equity
    the quality of being fair, reasonable, or impartial
    The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
  56. compensation
    the act of making amends for service, loss, or injury
    No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened.
  57. duly
    in an appropriate or proper manner
    Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States , or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
  58. resignation
    the act of giving up, as a claim or office or possession
    In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
  59. territory
    a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
    After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdict
  60. successor
    a person who follows next in order
    The terms of the President and the Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been
Created on Wed Nov 09 13:14:40 EST 2011 (updated Wed Nov 09 13:21:45 EST 2011)

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