The United States Constitution gives each house of Congress the power to be the judge of the “elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members” (Article I, section 5).
What branch of government controls elections?
Voter registration
While the federal government has jurisdiction over federal elections, most election laws are decided at the state level.
Who makes the rules that govern elections?
The Constitution simply states that “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations” (Article I, section 4).
What power does Congress have in determining elections?
While Congress has the explicit authority under the Elections Clause to regulate the times, places, and manner of congressional elections, with respect to presidential elections, Article II, Section 1, Clause 4 simply provides that the “Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they ...
Where in the Constitution does it talk about voting?
Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
What does the 26 Amendment say?
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
Who has to approve bills passed by Congress?
To become a law the bill must be approved by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and requires the Presidents approval. There are two different types of bills, private-bills that affect a specific individual and public-bills that affect the general public.
In what federal body do all bills originate?
Bills may originate in either the House of Representatives or the Senate with one notable exception. Article I, Section 7, of the Constitution provides that all bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives but that the Senate may propose, or concur with, amendments.
How does the 14th Amendment hold power?
14th Amendment — Section Five
In giving Congress power to pass laws to safeguard the sweeping provisions of Section One , in particular, the 14th Amendment effectively altered the balance of power between the federal and state governments in the United States.
Which power is exclusive to the Senate?
The Senate shares full legislative power with the House of Representatives. In addition, the Senate has exclusive authority to approve–or reject–presidential nominations to executive and judicial offices , and to provide–or withhold–its “advice and consent” to treaties negotiated by the executive.
How often must Congress meet annually?
Consequently, Article I, Section 4 of the United States Constitution states that “The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.”
Can Congress regulate elections?
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators. ...
Can Congress take away citizenship?
Congress has no power under the Constitution to revoke a person’s U.S. citizenship unless he voluntarily relinquishes it . In particular, citizenship may not be revoked as a consequence of voting in a foreign election.
What does Article 1 Section 3 of the Constitution mean?
The Constitution confers on the U.S. Senate legislative, executive, and judicial powers. ... Finally, Article I, Section 3 also gives the Senate the exclusive judicial power to try all cases of impeachment of the President , the Vice President, or any other civil officer of the United States.
What is the right to vote called?
Suffrage, political franchise, or simply franchise is the right to vote in public, political elections (although the term is sometimes used for any right to vote). ... The combination of active and passive suffrage is sometimes called full suffrage.
What does Article 1 Section 5 of the Constitution mean?
In Article I of the Constitution, the Framers vest the legislative authority of the United States government in a bicameral Congress, and over the ten sections of the Article they systematically flesh out the structure, duties, and powers of that Congress. ... In Section 5, they grant Congress the power to govern itself .
