| A | B |
|---|
| government | a system of laws for running a country |
| amend | to change, improve |
| candidate | person running for office |
| checks and balances | way to make sure that one group is not more powerful than another group |
| citizen | the people in a country who can vote |
| election | the process in which a candidate is elected to office |
| laws | rules of a government |
| office | what candidates for political office run for, |
| rights | privileges provided under law |
| responsibilities | your duties as a citizen to participate in government through jury duty, voting, and being informed |
| voting | when citizens elect representatives in a democracy |
| Mayflower Compact | rules that the Pilgrims agreed upon to govern their colony |
| Declaration of Independence | written in 1776 to explain why the colonies wanted to separate from England |
| U S Constitution | set forth all the rules of our government, adopted in 1787 and still in use |
| Bill of Rights | first 10 amendments (changes) to the U.S. Constitution |
| Freedom of Assembly | the right to meet in a group |
| Freedom of the Press | the right to print the truth |
| Freedom of Religion | the right to worship as you please |
| Freedom of Speech | the right to voice your opinion |
| Executive Branch | applies the law |
| Legislative Branch | makes laws |
| Judicial Branch | interprets laws |
| Federal Government | our national government located in Washington, DC |
| State Government | located in Albany, NY |
| Local Government | town or village; Town of Brookhaven, Village of Patchogue |
| democracy | citizens elect government representatives in a free election |
| monarchy | a king or queen rules |
