What does the term "checks and balances" refer to?

The term "checks and balances" refers to a foundational principle in the U.S. government system that ensures no single branch of government—executive, legislative, or judicial—becomes too powerful or abuses its authority. Each branch has specific powers and responsibilities, and mechanisms are in place for them to check each other. For example, the legislative branch can pass laws, but the executive branch can veto those laws. Additionally, the judicial branch has the power to interpret the constitutionality of laws passed by the legislature, thereby maintaining a balance of power among the three branches. This system promotes accountability and transparency in governance, fostering a framework that protects individual liberties by preventing tyranny.

The other options do not accurately encapsulate the concept of checks and balances. The method for citizens to influence legislation is more about democratic participation rather than a structural mechanism of governance. Equal representation in elections pertains to electoral fairness rather than the separation of powers. Meanwhile, amending the Constitution involves a specific legislative process that allows changes to the foundational law, which is distinct from the checks and balances principle that regulates the interaction and power dynamics among government branches.