Vocabulary

absentee ballot: used to vote when someone cannot physically be at the polling place on election day

amendment: a change to the U.S. Constitution

ballot: a sheet of paper, cardboard card, or electronic instrument used to cast a vote

bill: a proposed law

bipartisan: supported by both political parties

campaign: a race between candidates for elective office

caucus: a meeting of members of a political party, usually to appoint representatives to party positions

coalition: an alliance of people or political parties

Congress: legislative body of the United States

conservative: someone preferring traditional values and views

constituent: a person represented by an elected official

delegate: one sent to act as a representative for a group

democracy: government in which the people hold the ruling power

enfranchise: to grant the vote to

lame duck: an elected official still in office who has not been reelected for another term, or who is resigning at the end of the term

grass roots: the common people at a local level

incumbent: someone currently holding an office

liberal: someone preferring change and social programs to help lower classes in society

nominate: to name as a candidate for an election

partisan: devoted to a cause or a party

petition: a written request signed by many people demanding an action from an authority or government

platform: a document stating the aims and principles of a political party

poll: the place where votes are cast and registered, or a survey of the public

primary: an election for choosing the candidates who will run in the final election

veto: to prevent a bill from becoming law