| A | B |
|---|
| nomination | naming those who will seek office |
| general election | regularly scheduled elections at which voters make the final selections for office holders |
| caucus | group of like-minded people who select candidates they will support |
| direct primary | members of a party nominate candidates for office by election |
| closed primary | primary where only those of a declared party can vote |
| open primary | primary where any registered voter may vote |
| nonpartisan election | elections where candidate's party is not mentioned |
| absentee ballot | how those unable to get to the polling place may vote |
| coattail effect | a strong candidate may attract voters to the party's ticket |
| precinct | a voting district |
| ballot | the device used for voters to cast their votes |
| PAC | method of interest groups to give money to candidates |
| subsidy | a grant of money from the government |
| soft money | funds given to political parties |
| hard money | funds raised and spent to elect candidates for national office |
