| Term | Definition |
|---|
| voter apathy | seen often among youth who feel their votes will not make a difference |
| national convention | The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party's platform. |
| third party | a political party organized in opposition to the major parties in a two-party system |
| spoiler | third party candidate who tries to alter the outcome of an election |
| primary election | Election in which voters choose the candidates from each party who will run in the general election |
| open primary | Primary election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote. |
| closed primary | Primary election in which only persons registered in the party holding the primary may vote. |
| platform | a series of statements expressing the party's principles, beliefs, and positions on election issues |
| political party | organized group of people who want to control or influence govt. by winning elections, holding public office, and having laws and policies reflect their political beliefs. |
| caucus | a private meeting of party leaders to choose candidates for office |
| poll | a survey taken to measure public opinion |
| plain folks | identifying the candidate as "just one of the common people" |
| bandwagon | propaganda technique that tries to persuade the person to do, think, or buy something because it is popular or everyong is doing it |
| watchdog | The function of the party "out of power" to keep an eye on the other party and govt. |
| canvassing | going through neighborhoods asking for votes or taking public opinion |
| name calling | a method of propaganda that is an attempt to turn people against and opponent or an idea by using unpleasant labels or descriptions for that person or idea |
| Electoral College | The system used in electing the president and vice president, in which voters vote for electors pledged to cast their ballots for a particular party's candidates. |
| PAC | Political Action Committees; an organization formed to collect money and provide financial support for political candidates |
| lobbyist | representative of an interest group or corporation who contacts lawmakers or other government officials directly to influence their policy making |
| absentee ballot | Allows a person to vote without going to the polls on election day. |
| electorate | All persons having the right to vote. |
| winner take all | System in which the candidate with the majority of the popular vote in a state gets all the electoral votes |
| candidate | a person running for office |
| campaign finance reform | Legislation aimed at placing limits on political candidates accepting money and gifts from individuals and special interest groups |
| House of Representatives | Group that decides who will be president if no candidate has a majority of the electoral votes |
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