Gov Chap 18 Vocab

Election

an orderly process for making group decisions

Voting

making a choice among alternatives in an election

Suffrage

the right to vote

Disenfranchise

to deprive of the right to vote

Literacy test

a test based on a person's ability to read or write

Grandfather clause

an exemption in a law for a certain group based on previous conditions

Device

a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function

Poll tax

money paid in order to vote

Minimum

the least number possible

Midterm election

a Congressional election that takes place halfway through the president's term in office

Legislative referendum

a special election in which the legislature refers a measure to the voters for their approval

Popular referendum

a special election in which voters can vote to approve or repeal the laws passed by the legislature

Initiative

a method by which citizens propose a constitutional law or amendment

Occupation

a job; a vocation

Predict

to tell in advance of an event

Cross-pressured voter

a voter who is caught between conflicting elements in his or her identity

Straight party ticket

a ticket where a voter has selected candidates of his or her own party only

Campaign manager

the person responsible for the overall strategy and planning of a campaign

Strategy

a plan or method for achieving a goal

Distribute

to give out or disburse to clients, customers, or members of a group

Propaganda

the use of ideas, information, or rumors to influence opinion

Corruption

impairment of integrity, virtue, or moral principle

Hard money

direct contributions to a candidate's political campaign

Political action comittee (PAC)

an organization formed to collect money and provide financial support for political candidates

Soft money

money raised by a political party for general purposes; money not designated for a candidate

Super PACs

a political action committee that does not coordinate with election campaigns and thus is eligible to receive unlimited donations

Register

to enroll one's name with the appropriate local government in order to participate in elections

Margin

the limit or bare minimum

Compulsory voting

mandatory voting

Recall

the procedure by which an elected official may be removed from office by popular vote

Polling place

the location in a precinct where people vote

Precinct

a voting district

Early voting

provision that allows a person to vote in person for a specified period of time prior to Election Day

Absentee ballot

a ballot that allows a person to vote without going to the polls on Election Day

Canvassing board

the official body that counts votes and certifies the winner