| A | B |
|---|
| absentee ballot | used to vote when not able to go to the election |
| activist | The use of direct, often confrontational action. |
| amendment | a change in the Constitution |
| appointment | selected for a position |
| balanced budget | when spending equals taxes collected |
| ballot | A sheet of paper or a card used to cast or register a vote |
| bandwagon | A cause or party that attracts increasing numbers of voters |
| legislature | an elected body that makes laws |
| bill | a proposed law |
| bipartisan | supported by both sides |
| cabinet | President's advisors |
| campaign | a race between candidates for elective office |
| city council | governing body of a city |
| coalition | An alliance of people or parties. |
| Congress | national legislative body of the United States |
| conservative | Favoring traditional views and values; tending to oppose change. |
| liberal | Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas |
| constituent | Someone represented by an elected official. |
| Constitution | law determining the fundamental political principles of a government |
| debate | To engage in a formal discussion or argument. |
| deficit | a shortage |
| delegate | One sent by any constituency to act as its representative in a convention |
| democracy | government in which the supreme power is retained by the people |
| Democratic Party | One of the two major political parties in the United States usually more liberal than conservative. |
| Republican Party | One of the two major political parties in the United States usually more conservative than liveral. |
| electoral college | A body of electors chosen to elect the President and Vice President. |
| Executive Branch | responsible for carrying out the laws |
| lame duck | an elected official still in office but not slated to continue |
| left wing | The liberal or radical faction of a group. |
| Legislative Branch | branch of government that makes the law |
| Libertarian Party | Party which advocates maximizing individual rights and minimizing the role of the state. |
| lobby | A group of persons engaged in trying to influence legislators. |
| governor | The chief executive of a state. |
| grass roots | the common people at a local level |
| Mayor | The head of government of a city or town. |
| House of Representatives | The lower house of the Congress |
| incumbent | A person who is in present possession of any office. |
| Judicial Branch | judges the law |
| partisan | Devoted to or biased in support of a party, group, or cause. |
| petition | A formal written document requesting a right or benefit. |
| platform | the principles on which a group makes its appeal to the public. |
| poll | The place where votes are cast and registered, or a survey of the public. |
| President | The chief executive of the United States. |
| propaganda | information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause |
| nominate | o propose by name as a candidate, especially for election. |
| veto | To prevent (a legislative bill) from becoming law. |
| referendum | The submission of a proposed public measure or actual statute to a direct popular vote. |
| right wing | The conservative or reactionary faction of a group |
| term | A limited period of time. |
| Supreme Court | The highest federal court in the United States, or a state. |
