Campaigns & Cash
This government agency enforces campaign finance laws and tracks political donations.
FEC (Federal Election Commission)
This is the final election where voters cast ballots to choose the actual winner of a public office.
general election
This is a political party's formal, written statement of its goals, principles, and positions on issues.
incumbent
This term refers to all of the people in a country or area who are eligible to vote.
electorate
This system allows citizens to mail in or cast their vote before election day if they cannot make it to the polls.
absentee voting
This organization is formed by special interest groups to pool money and legally donate to candidates.
PAC (Political Action Committee)
This initial election is held by a political party to choose which candidate will represent them.
primary election
This term describes a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern, which often causes citizens to skip voting on election day
apathy
This is a small, specific geographic area that contains a set number of voters.
precinct
This is an informal survey taken by news media organizations as voters leave their polling places, used to predict election results before the official ballots are fully counted.
exit poll
This term refers to tightly regulated political donations given directly to a candidate.
hard money
This special election allows citizens to vote an elected official out of office before their term ends.
recall election
This is biased or misleading information used by a campaign to promote a candidate or discredit an opponent.
propaganda
This is a sample survey conducted by news media and party workers by asking voters leaving selected polling places how they voted to help predict the election winner before the final tally.
exit polly
When the polls close, election workers count the votes and send these official results to the election board.
returns
This term refers to unlimited, less-regulated donations given to parties for general "party-building" activities.
soft money
This type of primary allows any registered voter to participate, regardless of party affiliation.
open primary
An election where citizens vote directly to approve or reject a law passed by their state or local legislature
referendum
his is the physical location, such as a school or church, where citizens in a precinct go to cast ballots.
polling place
This is the official paper or electronic screen that lists the candidates' names and is used to cast a secret vote.
ballot
If neither presidential candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, this group is constitutionally required to elect the president.
House of Representatives
This term describes a feeling of lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern, which frequently leads to low voter turnout among citizens.
voter apathy
A specific petition-backed law or issue put on the ballot for voters to approve or reject, often designated by a number.
proposition
The process of signing up with local election officials to become eligible to cast a ballot in upcoming elections.
voter registration ( also accepting registration)
A person appointed to officially vote in presidential elections for the major party candidates based on state popular votes.
elector