This booklet tells about the basics of democracy. It covers the functionality of democracy in the country and the basic rights of the citizen.
1. Democracy in the United States The United States is a representative democracy. This means that our government is elected by citizens. Here, citizens vote for their government officials. These officials represent the citizens’ ideas and concerns in government. Voting is one way to participate in our democracy. Citizens can also contact their officials when they want to support or change a law. Voting in an election and contacting our elected officials are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy. Voting booth in Atascadero, California, in 2008. Photo by Ace Armstrong. Courtesy of the Polling Place Photo Project. Your Government and You H www.uscis.gov/citizenship 1
2. Becoming a U.S. Citizen Taking the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of USCIS. The process required to become a citizen is called naturalization. To become a U.S. citizen, you must meet legal requirements. You must complete an interview with a USCIS officer. You must also pass an English and Civics test. Then, you take the Oath of Allegiance. This means that you promise loyalty to the United States. When you become a U.S. citizen, you also make these promises: ★★give up loyalty to other countries ★★defend the Constitution and laws of the United States ★★obey the laws of the United States ★★serve in the U.S. military (if needed) ★★do important work for the nation (if needed) After you take the Oath of Allegiance, you are a U.S. citizen. 2 Your Government and You H www.uscis.gov/citizenship
3. Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Voting is one important right and responsibility of U.S. citizens. Another right of all citizens is running for federal office. Many naturalized citizens are elected to federal office. However, to be president or vice president, you must be a natural-born United States citizen. One responsibility of all citizens is to serve on a jury. This means that you can help decide the result of a U.S. Representative Dalip Singh Saund court case. was born in India. He served in Congress from 1957 to 1962. Only citizens can serve on a jury. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, LC-USZ62-102603 The jury box in the Howard M. Metzenbaum U.S. Courthouse, Cleveland, Ohio. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, LC-DIG-highsm-10671. Your Government and You H www.uscis.gov/citizenship 3
4. Responsibilities for Everyone Here Everyone in the United States has responsibilities. It is everyone’s responsibility to obey laws in the United States. There are local laws in your community. There are state laws and federal laws. Here are two important federal laws: 1. All men between 18 and 26 must register for the Selective Service. This means that they are ready to serve in the military if our country needs them. Men must register for the Selective Service even if they are not citizens. 2. Every year, people must send in federal income tax forms by April 15. The government uses this money for the U.S. military, schools, and other programs. 4 Your Government and You H www.uscis.gov/citizenship
5. Dividing the Power of Government Federal and state laws control and protect different parts of people’s lives. Our Constitution explains the powers that the federal government has when it makes laws. Federal powers are for things that must be the same for the whole country. For example, the whole country needs one system for its money. State powers are for things that can be different in each state. For example, states can have different systems for giving driver’s licenses. Federal Powers One Example • to print money of Federal Powers • to declare war • to create an army • to make treaties State Powers • provide schooling and SAMPLE education • provide protection (police) One Example of State Powers • provide safety (fire departments) • give a driver’s license • approve zoning and land use Driver’s License from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Your Government and You H www.uscis.gov/citizenship 5
6. Your State Government The capital of the United States is Washington, D.C. Each state and territory has its own capital. Most state governments are similar to the federal government. Most state governments have three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The Governor is in charge of the executive branch of the state. State Capitol building in Lincoln, Nebraska. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, LC-DIG-highsmith-04814. Aerial view of Washington, D.C. Courtesy of the Library of Congress, LC-DIG-highsmith-11563. Fill in the information about your state. I live in . The capital of my state is . The Governor of my state is . 6 Your Government and You H www.uscis.gov/citizenship
7. Word Search—Your Government and You Find these words in the puzzle. The words are down ($) or across (" ). Circle the words. Word Bank CAPITAL ✔CONSTITUTION FEDERAL GOVERNOR JURY LAWS LOYALTY POWER RESPONSIBILITY RIGHT STATE TAXES VOTE CITIZEN M C L A W S Q H Z R I G H I O J V T V F R X E B W Q I N P O F K V A P S H J T C S J T E Z Q G H P Z N G V T T E P L C O S O V F O D I A F O O Q V J N U S F X T X W W Y Z E U S Y T E F U E P E A E R R I A A D X T S X R L A N Y B E T E R I G H T T P O S I X E R M O Z Z J Y P R Z L K F A N N O V S E C A P I T A L L C I T I Z E N D T N P X X Y I W P F Z L P Y X L V Your Government and You H www.uscis.gov/citizenship 7
8. Give One Example—Review Give one example for each sentence below. There can be more than one correct answer. Discuss your answers with your class. Give one example of a U.S. President. George Washington 1. Give one example of a state capital. 2. Give one example of a federal power. 3. Give one example of a state power. 4. Give one example of a right only for U.S. citizens. 5. Give one example of a responsibility only for U.S. citizens. 6. Give one example of a way that Americans can participate in their democracy. 7. Give one example of a promise you make when you become a U.S. citizen. 8 Your Government and You H www.uscis.gov/citizenship
9. Right Copy the word. right r ri rig righ right Your Government and You H www.uscis.gov/citizenship Copy the Civics Test item and answer. Name one right only for United States citizens. . Vote in a federal election. .
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