1. Organization of the U.s. Government
AP Human Geography
Political Organization of Space
Organization of the U.s. Government

2. For today, 02/05
Remember, your unit exam is tomorrow! It will be like the other exams – a combination of multiple choice questions and an FRQ.
Make sure you have been given a card

3. United States Government
We are a federal republic based on the Constitution. What does that mean?
What do federal and republic mean?
Terms to know and understand:
Federal state
Unitary state

4. Role of the U.S. Constitution
Constitution is our “law of the land”
Bill of Rights: first 10 amendments

5. Organization of U.S. Government
Federal Government
Legislative: power to make laws (legislate)
Judicial: power to interpret laws (judge)
Executive: power to carry out the laws (execute)
State and Local Governments
10th Amendment: states can JEL their own laws
Local examples: gambling legal in LA, not in TX; League City can fine for water use; marijuana is legal prescription in CA
Separation of Powers: a system of checks and balances
(no one branch can become too powerful)

6. Representative Democracy
Democracy: rule by people
Representative Democracy
People vote for representatives (state & federal level)
Federal Representatives:
Senator John Cornyn
Senator Ted Cruz
U.S. Representative Randy Weber
U.S. Representative Pete Olson
State Representatives:
Senator Larry Taylor
State Rep. Greg Bonnen
State Rep. John E. Davis
State Rep. Craig Eiland

7. Gerrymandering
Free point on the AP Exam: you’re welcome 

8. Electing our President
Case Study: Election Popular Vote Results
50,996,582
50,456,062

9. Electoral College People vote for electors 2000 E.C. Results
Electors vote for president
2000 E.C. Results
Bush: 271
Gore: 266
Number of electoral votes is based on state population; the more people, the more votes.

10. * The number of electoral votes a state gets is determined by its population. The larger the population, the more electoral votes. *
538 total electoral votes
California: 55
Texas: 38
Florida and NY: 29 (each)

11. Who would you vote for?
Write down a “1” or a “2” for each statement. Pick the statement you MOST agree with.
Do not talk!
You will have a total of 7 different issues.

12. Who would you vote for?
#1: Abortion: Pro-life. Abortion should only be legal in cases of incest, rape, or when the mother’s life is endangered. #2: Abortion: Pro-choice. Supports women’s right to choose to abort.

13. Who would you vote for?
#1: Death penalty: Supports. #2: Death penalty: Very cautious; should only be reserved for heinous crimes.

14. Who would you vote for?
#1: Gun Control: Believes in the second amendment right for all citizens to “bear arms.” #2: Gun Control: Agrees to the principle of the second amendment right to “bear arms,” but does not think it is an absolute right – rather, one that is negotiable.

15. Who would you vote for?
#1: Gay Marriage: Does not support the marriage of gay couples; marriage should only be between different-sex couples. #2: Health Care: Support gay marriage; marriage does not have to be limited to different-sex couples.

16. Who would you vote for?
#1: Marijuana: 100% illegal. Is against allowing it to be used for medicinal use under a doctor’s prescription. #2: Marijuana: Mostly illegal. Supports allowing it to be used for medicinal use under a doctor’s prescription.

17. Who would you vote for?
#1: Minimum Wage: Minimum wage should be increased when a systematic form of measurement indicates a rise in the cost of living. #2: Minimum Wage: Minimum wage should be increased when deemed necessary by the legislative and executive branches.

18. Who would you vote for?
#1: Favorite TV Shows: Modern Family, 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights #2: Favorite TV Shows: Sportscenter, Modern Family, Homeland

19. Add up your 1s and 2s…
You should have more of one particular number

20. The Groups: How the U.S. Electoral College Works
Aces: Electors!
Popular Votes
Spades
Hearts
Diamonds
Clubs

21. The Votes and Voters 1 Electoral Votes: Ace of Hearts
* The number of electoral votes a state gets is determined by its population. The larger the population, the more electoral votes. *
538 total electoral votes
California: 55
Texas: 38
Florida and NY: 29 (each)
1 Electoral Votes: Ace of Hearts
Hearts
3 Electoral Votes: Ace of Spades
Spades
5 Electoral Votes: Ace of Clubs
Clubs
8 Electoral Votes: Ace of Diamonds
Diamonds

22. The Results
#1s: Mitt Romney # 2s: Barack Obama

23. Quick Pulse Check
Go to Socrative, ROOM