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| God's or nature's law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law. |
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| Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law. |
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| Constitutional grant of powers that enables each of the three branches of government to check some acts of the others and therefore ensure that no branch can dominate. |
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| Governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress. |
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| Election in which voters choose party nominees. |
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| Procedure whereby a certain number of voters may, by petition, propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters. |
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| Procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments to a state constitution. |
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| Procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term. |
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| The power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or a government regulation that in the opinion of the judges conflicts with the U.S. Constitution or, in a state court, the state constitution. |
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| Court order directing an official to perform an official duty. |
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| Formal accusation by the lower house of a legislature against a public official, the first step in removal from office. |
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| Directive issued by a president or governor that has the force of law. |
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| The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security. |
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| Presidential refusal to allow an agency to spend funds that Congress authorized and appropriated. |
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