| A | B |
|---|
| Candidates | Citizens who run for election to public office |
| Constituents | A person from a legislator's district |
| Incumbent | A politician who has already been elected to office |
| Platform | Document that states the principles and policies of a political party |
| Planks | Parts of a political party platform |
| Plurality Vote | Vote by the highest percentage of voters but not a majority of voters |
| Majority Vote | Decision by more than half of the voters |
| Coalitions | Various parties that come together in a multi-party governmental system |
| Grassroots | A party claiming support from the average citizenry and people of lesser means |
| Political machine | Political organization that trades support for favors, found mostly in cities |
| Patronage | Political act of giving someone a political job in return for his or her support |
| Radical | Political philosophy that wants to change conditions in a revolutionary |
| Liberal | Political philosophy that emphsizes community and strong government |
| Moderate | Political philosophy that reform comes from within the existing system |
| Conservative | Political philosophy that emphasizes individual freedom and limiting government |
| Reactionary | One who tends to be suspicious of or against change |
| Primary Election | Election to determine candidates for office |
| General Election | An election in which states or nations choose officeholders and vote on ballot measures |
| Partisan | Election in which party affiliation is listed on the ballot |
| Nonpartisan | Election where the candidate's party affiliation is not on the ballot |
| Initiative | Political means ofr the people to vote on an issue |
| Proposition | To put an issue on the ballot for popular vote, a form of initiative |
| Recall Election | Election to strip someone of his or her political office |
| Public and Private Funding | Means to fund elections |
| Political Action Committee (PAC) | Political group promoting a cause or agenda. Ex: AARP |
| Precinct | Voting district |
| Caucus | Meeting of members of a political party to pick candidates or plan strategy |
| Endorsements | Statement of support for a candidate from an important person or group |
| Political machine | Political organization that trades support for favors, found mostly in cities |
| Propaganda | Persuasion of citizens using an assortment of means |
| Glittering Generalities | A statement that sounds good but is essentially meaningless |
| Bandwagon | Convincing people to join the "winning team" |
| Stack Cards | Presenting only one side of the issue, often by distorting the facts |
| Name Calling | Using a negative label or description to attempt to turn people against a candidate |
| "Just Plain Folks" | Making people think candidate is "just like them" Ex: talking to factory workers |
| Image Making | Creating a series of events to build a reputation of success for a candidate |
| Voter registration | Eligible voters sign up to vote; have option to declare party affiliation |
| Polling place | Location where voters cast their ballots |
| Types of Ballots | Paper, punchcard, or electronic machines used to cast votes |
| Exit Polls | Survey to find out how voters voted |
| Delegates | A party's representative at a convention who is selected at a caucus |
| National Convention | Political meeting where parties nominate candidates and write their platforms |
| Nominations | Placing someone's name into consideration to run for office |
| Electors | Members of the Electoral College |
| Electoral College | Body that elects the president and vice-president of the United States |
| Mass Media | Print or electronic such as newspapers, television, or the internet to reach large audience |
| Polls | Survey of public opinion |
| Public Agenda | List of a party's or government's political policies and solutions |
| Party platform | Document that states the principles and policies of a political party |
| Bias | Unfair preference for or against an issue |
| Slander | Intentionally and falsely smearing someone's reputation in speech |
| Libel | Unjustly harming someone's reputation through print. |
| Surveys | Polls. Citizens are asked questions to measure opinion about an issue |
| Random samples | Technique in polling meant to be representative of the whole |
| Apathy | Lack of interest in civic and political life, contradicts the principles of democracy |
| Petition | Process to put an issue on the ballot to be decided by popular vote |
| Protest | Use of demonstrations, boycotts, and civil disobedience to seek a change |
| Activist | Person who fights for a cause; political, social, or environmental |
| Lobbyist | Someone who tries to persuade politicians to vote for his/her organization or cause |
| Vote | To cast a ballot, the people's chief political means to implement democracy |
| Public Safety | To provide community security through law enforcement |
| Domestic Tranquility | To maintain peace and order, keeping citizens and their property safe from harm |
| Criminal Law | Law concerning harms against the state, found in the penal code |
| Prosecution | Represents the state in a legal proceding, makes the case against a defendant |
| Fines | Monetary payment required by a citation or judge's sentence |
| Penal Code | Set of criminal laws and punishments |
| Mandatory Sentencing | Required penalties for certain crimes |
| Civil Law | Laws covering contracts and relations between individuals |
| Lawsuits | Proceeding that seeks a legal remedy, used in civil cases |
| Anarchy | Belief that society should not have any central government |
| Civil Disobedience | Breaking an unjust law non-violently to stir the conscience of those who obey it |
| Patriotism | The love of and support of one's country, loyalty. |
| Public Service | Working as a officeholder, appointee, or civil servant |
| Volunteerism | Giving freely of your time to help others |
| Peace Corps | Established by John F. Kennedy-citizens spend 2 years helping in a foreign country |
| Americorps | Citizens work through 2,000 public agencies, non-profits, and faith-based organizations |
| Job Corps | A federal program to provide employment training and opportunities |
| Senior Corps | Network of programs using experience and talents of older citizens to help community |
| Rights | Protections and freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution |
| Informed Electorate | Voters who are seek knowledge from a variety of sources before casting votes |
| Community service | Service performed for the community, sometimes part of a judge's sentence |
| Service learning | Education while working in the community |
| Mock elections | Pretend elections used to educated voters about elections |
| Moot courts | Pretend trials used to educate people about the legal system |
| Negotiation | Talking to reach an agreement |
| Mediation | Neutral third party help citizens in conflict resolve disputes |
| Arbitration | Neutral third party is responsible for making a binding solution |
| Pre-hearing settlement | Parties to a civil dispute reach agreement to avoid a trial |
| Small Claims Court | Handles civil cases involving less than $5,000 |
| Legal Action | Using the court system to resolve conflict |
| Collaboration | Working together to find solutions agreeable to all parties in a dispute |
| Compromise | When opposing sides of an issue give up some demands in order to agree |
