Vocabulary

absentee voting
A way people can vote by mail when they can’t get to the official voting place. Absentee voters use a special form that must be returned by Election Day. Absentee voters include people in the armed forces, college students, voters who are ill, and people who are traveling on business or vacations.

ballot
A list of candidates and proposals for citizens to vote on. A ballot can be printed on a paper form or set up on a voting machine.

candidate
A person who tries to get elected to public office.

coattails
The influence of a popular candidate that helps other candidates of the same political party win election.

convention
A national meeting of each of the two major political parties. National political conventions are held every four years. The main purpose of a convention is to formally nominate the party’s candidates for president and vice president.

dark horse
A little-known candidate who unexpectedly wins a party’s political nomination.

delegate
A party member who attends the party’s political convention.

elector
A person chosen by the voters of a state to cast a vote for president and vice president.

electoral college
Groups of electors from each state. The groups assemble in their states in December after Election Day. They then cast their votes for president and vice president based on the results of the national election.

electoral votes
The votes cast by electors in the electoral college.

landslide
A big majority of votes for one candidate.

majority
More than half the total number of people voting.

minority
Fewer than half the total number of people voting.

political party
An organization or group of people who have the same goals and ideas about how tht government should rule and solve problems.

poll
A questioning or survey of people to obtain opinions or information.

polling place
A location where voters cast their votes.

primary (closed)
An election in a state held before the national election to help select delegates or candidates. Only declared members of a political party can vote in a closed primary.

primary (open)
a primary in which declared voters of either party my vote. In some states, Independent voters may also vote in an open primary.

slate
A group of candidates for nomination or election.

third party
A political party other than the Democratic and Republican parties. Examples of third parties are the Green Party and the Reform Party.

Source: The 2004 Election Resource Guide. Weekly Reader, Corp. Delran, NJ. 2004. p22-23.

More vocabulary words:

campaign
The work of trying to help a candidate win an election. Campaigning includes work by the candidate and many other people.

debates
Meeting at which the presidential candidates appear together. They give speeches, answer questions, and explain what they would do if they were elected president.

Inauguration Day

The day on which the newly elected president begins the four-year term. The Constitution sets Inauguration Day as January 20th in the year after the election.

nominate
To propose a candidate for a political office.

platform
A formal set of principle goals held by a political party. A candidate’s or party’s list of plans and promises.

ticket
The presidential and vice presidential candidates for a political party are listed together on the voting ballot. Citizens vote for a party’s presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate together. An electoral vote for the presidential candidate also counts as an electoral vote for the vice presidential candidate.

grassroots
The common people are the basic source or support, as in a movement.

Keynote Address
The candidate gives a speech, setting forth the basic idea or ruling principle of the campaign.

lame duck
An elected official whose term ends after someone else has been elected to the office.

mudslinging
The making of malicious verbal attacks, against a political opponent.

office
A position of authority or trust, as in government.

petition
A formal document, with a request, often signed by many people.

underdog
The person or team that is losing or is expected to lose.

Source: Webster’s New World Dictionary. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc. 1990.



absentee voting A way people can vote by mail when they can’t get to the official voting place. Absentee voters use a special form that must be returned by Election Day. Absentee voters include people in the armed forces, college students, voters who are ill, and people who are traveling on business or vacations. ballot A list of candidates and proposals for citizens to vote on. A ballot can be printed on a paper form or set up on a voting machine. candidate A person who tries to get elected to public office. coattails The influence of a popular candidate that helps other candidates of the same political party win election. convention A national meeting of each of the two major political parties. National political conventions are held every four years. The main purpose of a convention is to formally nominate the party’s candidates for president and vice president. dark horse A little-known candidate who unexpectedly wins a party’s political nomination. delegate A party member who attends the party’s political convention. elector A person chosen by the voters of a state to cast a vote for president and vice president. electoral college Groups of electors from each state. The groups assemble in their states in December after Election Day. They then cast their votes for president and vice president based on the results of the national election. electoral votes The votes cast by electors in the electoral college. landslide A big majority of votes for one candidate. majority More than half the total number of people voting. minority Fewer than half the total number of people voting. political party An organization or group of people who have the same goals and ideas about how tht government should rule and solve problems. poll A questioning or survey of people to obtain opinions or information. polling place A location where voters cast their votes. primary (closed) An election in a state held before the national election to help select delegates or candidates. Only declared members of a political party can vote in a closed primary. primary (open) a primary in which declared voters of either party my vote. In some states, Independent voters may also vote in an open primary. slate A group of candidates for nomination or election. third party A political party other than the Democratic and Republican parties. Examples of third parties are the Green Party and the Reform Party. Source: The 2004 Election Resource Guide. Weekly Reader, Corp. Delran, NJ. 2004. p22-23. More vocabulary words: campaign The work of trying to help a candidate win an election. Campaigning includes work by the candidate and many other people. debates Meeting at which the presidential candidates appear together. They give speeches, answer questions, and explain what they would do if they were elected president. Inauguration Day The day on which the newly elected president begins the four-year term. The Constitution sets Inauguration Day as January 20th in the year after the election. nominate To propose a candidate for a political office. platform A formal set of principle goals held by a political party. A candidate’s or party’s list of plans and promises. ticket The presidential and vice presidential candidates for a political party are listed together on the voting ballot. Citizens vote for a party’s presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate together. An electoral vote for the presidential candidate also counts as an electoral vote for the vice presidential candidate. grassroots The common people are the basic source or support, as in a movement. Keynote Address The candidate gives a speech, setting forth the basic idea or ruling principle of the campaign. lame duck An elected official whose term ends after someone else has been elected to the office. mudslinging The making of malicious verbal attacks, against a political opponent. office A position of authority or trust, as in government. petition A formal document, with a request, often signed by many people. underdog The person or team that is losing or is expected to lose. Source: Webster’s New World Dictionary. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc. 1990.