elections reform

Electral college

A group of representatives electors from each state who formally cast votes to elect the president and vice president of the United States

Popular vote

The total of individual votes cast by citizens in an election as opposed to votes cast by elections in the electoral college

Swing state

A state where both major political parties have similar levels of support making it highly competitive and important in deciding an election

Voter turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who actually cast ballots in an election

gerrymandering

The practice of drawing district boundaries to give one political party an advantage over others

Redistricting

The process of recalling the boundaries of electoral districts, usually after a census to ensure equal population distribution

Political party

An organized group of people with similar political goals and ideologies who work to gain political power by electing their candidates office

primary election

An election in which party members select their candidate for the general election can be open. Any voter can participate or closed only party members can vote.

General election

The main election where voters choose among candidates from different political parties to fill public offices

Initiative

A process that allows citizens to propose and vote on laws or constitutional amendments directly by passing the legislature

referendum

A process of voters approved or reject a lot or policy that has already been passed by the legislature

Recall

A process that allows voters to remove an elected official from office before the end of their term through a special election

Campaign finance

The system of raising and spending money to support political candidates and parties during elections

PAC political action committee

An organization that raises and spends money to influence, elections or legislation often representing a specific interest group

midterm election

Elections held midway through a presidents term where voters elected members of Congress and some state and local officials