AP GOV MIDTERM FRQ

Explain how judicial review empowers the Supreme Court within the system of checks and balances.

It gives the Court the power to limit actions taken by Congress/legislative branch or the president/executive branch.

D. Explain how the number and party affiliation of federal district court appointees affects presidential influence and power.

Judicial appointees will likely support the same policies as the president. The more appointees that are appointed, the more likely it is that policies supported by the president will be upheld.

B. Describe a similarity or difference between Republican and Democratic presidents' nominees to federal district courts with regard to the political party of those they nominate.

One difference is that Democrats tend to nominate Democrats, and Republicans tend to nominate Republicans. The parties are similar in that they nominate members of their own party.

C. Explain how the similarity or difference affects the judicial decisions of the federal district courts with regard to civil liberties.

Republican appointees tend to support civil liberties on Second Amendment cases and religious freedom cases.

Explain how each of the following influences decisions made by individual justices when deciding cases heard by the Court. • Stare decisis • Judicial activism

Stare Decisis: Justices apply precedent to current cases and rule based on past decisions. Judicial Activism: Justices are influenced by the future and needs of the nation.

A. Describe a trend in presidential nominees to district courts with regard to gender.

The percentage of female appointees has generally increased over time.

Define judicial review.

The power of the Supreme Court to declare acts by the executive or legislative branch unconstitutional.

Describe the process through which the Court grants a writ of certiorari.

The writ of certiorari is when the Supreme Court calls up a case from the lower courts. The writ of certiorari can be issued after 4 justices agree to receive the case.