Word List
1. campaign - (elections)
A political campaign is an organized effort which seeks to influence the decision-making within a specific group.
2. caucus - (elections)
A caucus is a meeting held in some states at which local members of a political party register their preference among candidates running for office or select delegates to attend a convention.
3. coalition - (elections)
A coalition is an alliance of people for combined action.
4. convention - (elections)
A convention is a nominating process to select candidates for a political office.
5. delegate - (elections)
A delegate is a person sent or authorized to represent others.
6. endorse - (elections)
To endorse is to declare one's public approval or support of something or someone.
7. fact checking - (elections)
Fact checking means to verify the facts of an issue.
8. incumbent - (elections)
An incumbent is an official who holds a political office.
9. lobbying - (elections)
Lobbying seeks to influence a politician or public official on an issue.
10. mandate - (elections)
A mandate is the authority given to a person or group to act in a certain way.
11. mid-term election - (elections)
Mid-term elections are elections held in the middle of the term of the president where the people can elect their representatives and other sub-national officeholders (e.g. governors, mayors, and members of local councils, etc.)
12. nominate - (elections)
To nominate is to formally enter someone as a candidate for election.
13. polling - (elections)
Polling is a series of surveys that follow changes in public opinion over time.
14. PAC (political action committee) - (elections)
A political action committee (PAC) is an organization that raises money privately to influence elections.
15. primary - (elections)
A primary is an election to select a candidate for president
16. referendum - (elections)
A referendum is an election to decide on a proposal or proposition.
17. source- (elections)
A source is someone that provides information.
18. Bill of Rights - (Foundation)
The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the US Constitution,
19. checks and balances - (Foundation)
Checks and balances is a method of balancing power between the three branches of government: Legislative Branch, Judicial Branch, and Executive Branch.
20. citizenship - (Foundation)
Citizenship is the rights, the duties and the privileges of being a citizen of a country.
21. congress - (Foundation)
The congress is the Senate and the House of Representatives.
22. The Constitution - (Foundation)
The Constitution is the document that establishes the fundamental principles of our government
23. The Electoral College - (Foundation)
The Electoral College is the method by which we elect the president of the United States.
24. Federalism - (Foundation)
Federalism is the way our government divides power between the national and state and local governments so that power is distributed and not concentrated in the hands of a few.
25. impeachment - (Foundation)
Impeachment is the statement of charges against a political official - like the president.
26. inauguration - (Foundation)
An inauguration is a ceremony to mark the commencement of a new four-year term of office of the president of the United States.
27. House of Representatives - (Foundation)
The House of Representatives is one of the two elected bodies of the United States Congress, which works with the Senate to pass Bills. Representatives serve a term of two years. Each state has a different number of representatives based on population.
28. Senate - (Foundation)
The Senate is one of the two elected bodies of the United States Congress that works with the House of Representatives to pass bills. Senators serve six years. Each state has two senators.
29. Supreme Court - (Foundation)
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
30. bias - (issue)
Bias is prejudice in favor of (or against) one thing, person, or group.
31. discrimination (racial, gender, age...) - (issue)
Discrimination is the unjust treatment of people, based on things like race, age, religion, gender, sexual preference, or disability, etc.
32. disenfranchise - (issue)
To disenfranchise is to deprive a person of his/her right to vote.
33. wealth gap - (issue)
The wealth gap is the unequal distribution of wealth in the United States. The wealth gap limits opportunities.
34. gender gap (issue)
The gender gap is the difference in opportunities, status, attitudes, between men and women in the United States.
35. gerrymandering - (issue)
Gerrymandering is changing the boundaries of a voting district to create an election result that helps a specific political party.
36. malfeasance - (issue)
Malfeasance is wrongdoing, especially by a public official.
37. public policy - (issue)
Public Policy is a plan of actions of the government to guide decisions and achieve outcomes.
38. prejudice - (issue)
Prejudice is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.
39. recession - (issue)
A recession is when the economy slows down.
40. compromise - (political)
A compromise is to make a deal between different political parties where each party gives something up but gets something else in return.
41. Democratic Party - (political)
The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States
42. economy - (social and political)
An economy is the wealth and resources of a country or person.
43. independent - (political)
An independent is a person who does not identify with any political party.
44. Republican Party - (political)
The Republican Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States
45. political spectrum - (political)
A political spectrum is the various points of view around an issue of concern to voters.
46. government bureaucracy - (structure)
A government bureaucracy is an organization made up of many departments, like the departments of Health, Education, and Defense.
47. Cabinet - (structure)
The Cabinet consists of the heads of various government departments that advise the President
48. confirmation hearing - (structure)
A confirmation hearting is a hearing held by the US Senate to gather information used to decide whether to approve or reject candidates for high federal office who are nominated by the president.
49. governor - (structure)
A governor is the elected executive head of a state.
50. mayor - (structure)
A mayor is the elected executive head of a city.
51. Executive Branch - (structure)
The Executive Branch enforces and carries out the laws.
52. Judicial Branch - (structure)
The Judicial Branch interprets the laws.
53. Legislative Branch - (structure)
The Legislative Branch makes the laws.
54. Constitutional amendment - (voting)
A Constitutional amendment is a change in the United States Constitution.
55. electorate - (voting)
The electorate consists of the people who are eligible to vote in an election.
56. exit poll - (voting)
An exit poll is a poll of voters taken immediately after they have exited the polling stations asking them how they voted for a candidate or issue.
57. special interest group - (voting)
A special interest group is a group that tries to influence public policy.
58. suffrage - (voting)
Suffrage is the right to vote in political elections.
59. 19th Amendment - (voting)
The 19th Amendment grants women in the United States the right to vote.
60. Voting Rights Act of 1965 - (voting)
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits racial discrimination in voting.