1.  Civil liberties are individual rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to vote. Without civil liberties, people are not free to live their lives as they wish.

2.  Third parties have publicized issues that the major parties at first ignored but sometimes later championed  Such as : The Populist Party

3.  PAC - gives money to political candidates in hopes that once in office those elected will support its ideas.  Lobby - tries to influence legislators after they are elected and takes a more direct role in forming the content of laws.

4.  Television, Internet, radio, newspapers, and magazines.

5.  A survey of peoples' views on particular issues; usually conducted by a scientific method that provides for statistical analysis of the results.

6.  First to consider bills relating to revenue and initiates impeachment proceedings.

7.  Ratifies treaties, confirms appointments, and tries impeached officials.

8.  Must be a natural born citizen, 35 years old, and a resident within the U.S. for 14 years.

9.  The Vice President assumes the role of president of something happens to that person and presides as president of the Senate.

10.  The electoral college is the body that officially elects the president and vice president.

11.  An independent judiciary allows judges to make legally correct but unpopular decisions without fear of being turned out of office.

12.  An amendment is an addition or change in a document.

13.  Initiative is a proposal by citizens for a law, constitutional amendment, or regulation at the state or local level.  Referendum is the process whereby voters can approve or reject certain laws passed by a state legislature.

14.  Naturalization is the process that allows immigrants to become citizens.

15.  Public opinion polls bring concerns to the attention of officials and the public, show how the public ranks an issue, and makes various segments of society aware of the concerns of other segments.

16.  Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York State is a member of the Republican Party.

17.  American Medical Association (AMA) - Doctors  American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) - Unionized workers  National Rifle Association (NRA) - Gun owners, hunters, etc.  National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) - African Americans, those interested in reducing prejudice and promoting civil rights.  Sierra Club - Conservationists.

18.  Judicial review is the power to declare laws and executive branch actions unconstitutional.

19.  In Marbury v. Madison, for the first time, an act of Congress was declared unconstitutional.

20.  Federalism is the division of power between the national government and the state and local governments.

21.  Releases an individual from unlawful imprisonment.

22.  Abraham Lincoln

23.  Frees and acquitted defendant from facing another trial for the same criminal charge.

24.  Polling Places.

25.  The Speaker of the House.

26.  It has been interpreted and amended in different ways to keep up with the times.