A | B |
candidate | a person seeking an elected government office |
plurality | the largest number of votes or seats in a legislature |
majority | more than half |
coalition | property used with another party or parties |
third party | a minor political party that challenges the two major parties |
nominate | to choose a candidate to run for political office |
campaign | an organized effort to gather support for a candidate |
patronage | giving jobs or special favors to loyal party members |
precinct | geographic area that contains a specific number of voters |
political machine | a strong party organization that can control political appointments and deliver votes |
platform | a political party's statement of its goals and positions on public issues |
plank | an item of a political party's platform |
grassroots | beginning with the people |
accountable | having to explain one's actions to the voters |
nonpartisan | not involving political parties |
convention | held once every four years, where party members nominate their candidates for President and Vice President of the US |