The 2026 Elections
Politics in Pop Culture
Election Jargon
Can-or-Can't-didates
Behind the Ballot
100
This is the congressional district that Baruch College is located in.
What is district 12?
100
This self-proclaimed lawyer is returning to her old post at Fox News following a 5-day stint as White House Press Secretary, in which she held a single internet-infamous press conference.
Who is Katie Zacharia?
100
Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Arizona are often called this kind of state because either party could win them.
What is a swing state?
100
This Brooklyn congressman leads House Democrats and says his party will win back the House in 2026.
Who is Hakeem Jeffries?
100
In a presidential election, a candidate can win the national popular vote but lose this body that formally determines the winner.
What is the electoral college?
200
This year, early voting will take place from these dates.
What is Oct. 24 - Nov. 1?
200
This senator recently returned to work following a 3-month hiatus, making headlines due to health transparency concerns and nearly voting against party interests on a farm bill.
Who is Mitch Mcconnell?
200
A candidate who already holds the office being sought is known by this term.
What is an incumbent?
200
This Louisiana congressman is the Speaker of the House heading into the 2026 midterms.
Who is Mike Johnson?
200
The name for a voting system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference.
What is ranked-choice voting?
300
This is the amount of seats up for election this year in the House of Representatives.
What is 435? (or “all”?)
300
This comedian/writer, famously married to Scarlett Johansson, frequently portrays Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on SNL.
Who is Colin Jost?
300
This term, meaning drawing district lines to favor one party, is named after a Massachusetts governor and a salamander-shaped map.
What is gerrymandering?
300
This Nassau County executive is the Republican nominee challenging Governor Hochul.
Who is Bruce Blakeman?
300
The term for a candidate whose name is not printed on the ballot but receives votes when voters write in their name.
What is a write-in candidate?
400
This is the amount of money that Elon Musk has, alone, contributed to Republican campaigns in 2026.
What is $366M?
400
This hilariously suggestive caption under a mayoral social media post last year, in reference to fixing a longstanding road issue in New York, went viral.
What is “holes filled”?
400
An official serving out a term after losing a race is called this term.
What is a lame duck?
400
This former Detroit health director won Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary in August and faces Republican Mike Rogers in November.
Who is Abdul El-Sayed?
400
This amendment lowered the voting age in the United States from 21 to 18.
What is the 26th amendment?
500
One of the 5 NYC ballot proposals for this election seeks to have Mayor Mamdani create a formula for calculating deposits to a ___ for the purpose of addressing unexpected financial hardships in future years.
What is a “rainy day/reserve fund?”
500
This off-broadway parody musical is centered around prominent women in the life of the 45th President of the United States.
What is “Five?
500
This type of political group can raise and spend unlimited money but can’t coordinate directly with a candidate’s campaign.
What is a super PAC?
500
This San Francisco representative, first elected in 1987, announced they won’t seek reelection in 2026.
Who is Nancy Pelosi?
500
The name for a last-minute revelation/scandal that could affect voter’s perception in an election.
What is an October surprise?