| A | B |
|---|
| absentee ballot | one that allows a person to vote without going to the polls on election day |
| apportionment | the process of assigning representation based on population |
| Baker v Carr | case that decided federal courts can hear suits seeking to force state authorities to redraw election districts |
| campaign finance | money that is raised to run political campaigns |
| caucus | a private meeting of party leaders to choose candidates for office |
| convention | a gathering of local and state party members chosen to nominate presidential and vice presidential candidates |
| electoral college | where the offical vote for president and vice president is by electors in each state |
| gerrymandering | to draw a district's boundaries to gain an advantage in elections |
| independent voter | a person who is not affiliated with any political party |
| lobbying | direct contact made by representatives of special interest groups with government officials in order to persuade them to support the policies of those groups |
| media | sources of information that cover the news |
| patronage | the practice of granting favors to reward party loyalty |
| political action committee (PAC) | an organization formed to collect money and provide finanacial support for political candidates |
| political parties | a group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, with elections and determine public policy |
| polls | places where voting takes place |
| primary | an election used by political parties to help choose candidates for office |
| random sampling | a polling technique in which everyone in the "universe" has an equal chance of being selected |
| redistricting | setting up new district lines after reapportionment is complete |
| suffrage | the right to vote |
| third party | any political party other than one of the two major parties |
| voter registration | a process by which people sign up to vote in elections |
| mandate | a formal order given by a higher authority |
