Absentee ballot /ˌæb.sənˈtiː ˈbæl.ət/ (noun): A vote cast by someone unable to attend the official polling place.
Example : "He requested an absentee ballot since he would be out of town."Ballot /ˈbæl.ət/ (noun): A process of voting, typically in written form.
Example : "The ballot includes the names of all the candidates."Ballot box /ˈbæl.ət bɒks/ (noun): A sealed box into which voters place their completed ballots.
Example : "Votes are placed in the ballot box for counting."Ballot paper /ˈbæl.ət ˈpeɪ.pər/ (noun): The paper on which voters mark their choice.
Example : "Ballot papers must be carefully counted."Blue state /bluː steɪt/ (noun): A U.S. state that primarily votes for the Democratic Party.
Example : "California is considered a blue state."Campaign /kæmˈpeɪn/ (noun): Organized effort to win an election or support a cause.
Example : "The candidate launched a strong campaign."Candidate /ˈkæn.dɪˌdeɪt/ (noun): A person who is running for a political office.
Example : "Three candidates are running for mayor."Caucus /ˈkɔː.kəs/ (noun): A meeting of party members to choose candidates.
Example : "The Iowa caucuses are the first in the nation."Citizen /ˈsɪt.ɪ.zən/ (noun): A legally recognized inhabitant of a state or nation.
Example : "Only citizens can vote in national elections."Concession speech /kənˈseʃ.ən spiːtʃ/ (noun): A speech made by the candidate who has lost.
Example : "He delivered his concession speech gracefully."Constituency /kənˈstɪtʃ.u.ən.si/ (noun): A geographical area represented by a politician.
Example : "Each constituency elects a representative."Debate /dɪˈbeɪt/ (noun): A formal discussion between candidates.
Example : "The debate focused on economic issues."Democracy /dɪˈmɒk.rə.si/ (noun): A system of government by the whole population.
Example : "Voting is essential in a democracy."Democratic Party /ˌdɛm.əˈkræt.ɪk ˈpɑːr.ti/ (noun): One of the two main U.S. political parties.
Example : "The Democratic Party supports healthcare reform."Elect /ɪˈlekt/ (verb): To choose someone for a position by voting.
Example : "They elected a new president."Election /ɪˈlek.ʃən/ (noun): A formal decision-making process to choose leaders.
Example : "The next election is in November."Electoral College /ɪˈlek.tər.əl ˈkɒl.ɪdʒ/ (noun): A body of people representing U.S. states in presidential elections.
Example : "The president is chosen by the Electoral College."Endorsement /ɪnˈdɔːs.mənt/ (noun): A public statement of support for a candidate.
Example : "He received a key endorsement from a senator."Exit poll /ˈɛɡ.zɪt pəʊl/ (noun): A survey of voters leaving polling places.
Example : "Exit polls predicted the winner."Franchise /ˈfræn.tʃaɪz/ (noun): The right to vote in public elections.
Example : "The franchise is a vital part of democracy."General election /ˈdʒɛn.ər.əl ɪˈlɛk.ʃən/ (noun): A regular election for national or local office.
Example : "The general election is held every four years."Gerrymandering /ˈdʒɛr.iˌmændərɪŋ/ (noun): Manipulating district boundaries to favor a party.
Example : "Gerrymandering affects representation in Congress."Incumbent /ɪnˈkʌm.bənt/ (noun): The current officeholder running for re-election.
Example : "The incumbent has served two terms."Independent /ˌɪn.dɪˈpɛn.dənt/ (noun): A candidate not affiliated with any major party.
Example : "He ran as an independent candidate."Landslide /ˈlænd.slaɪd/ (noun): An overwhelming victory in an election.
Example : "She won by a landslide."Legislature /ˈlɛdʒ.ɪˌsleɪ.tʃər/ (noun): The elected body that makes laws.
Example : "The legislature passed new voting laws."Lobby /ˈlɒ.bi/ (verb): To try to influence legislators on a particular issue.
Example : "They lobbied Congress to support the bill."Manifesto /ˌmæn.ɪˈfɛs.təʊ/ (noun): A document stating a party's intentions.
Example : "The party's manifesto promises economic reform."Nominee /ˌnɒm.ɪˈniː/ (noun): A person officially chosen to run for office.
Example : "The party announced its nominee for president."Opinion poll /əˈpɪn.jən poʊl/ (noun): A survey of public opinion.
Example : "Opinion polls showed a tight race."Party /ˈpɑːr.ti/ (noun): An organized political group.
Example : "The party’s platform appealed to voters."Platform /ˈplæt.fɔːrm/ (noun): A set of principles and goals of a political party.
Example : "The platform emphasized education reform."Poll /pəʊl/ (noun): A survey of public opinion or a place to vote.
Example : "The polls will close at 8 PM."Polling station /ˈpoʊ.lɪŋ ˌsteɪ.ʃən/ (noun): A designated place to cast votes.
Example : "Voters went to their local polling station."Primary /ˈpraɪ.mɛr.i/ (noun): An election to select a party's candidate for office.
Example : "The primary election determines the nominee."Propaganda /ˌprɒp.əˈɡæn.də/ (noun): Information used to influence public opinion.
Example : "Campaign propaganda can sway undecided voters."Referendum /ˌrɛf.əˈrɛn.dəm/ (noun): A public vote on a single issue or policy.
Example : "A referendum was held on the new law."Reform /rɪˈfɔːrm/ (noun): A change or improvement to a system.
Example : "Election reform is a hot topic this year."Representative /ˌrɛp.rɪˈzɛn.tə.tɪv/ (noun): An elected official in a legislative body.
Example : "She is a representative in Congress."Republic /rɪˈpʌb.lɪk/ (noun): A state in which the people elect representatives.
Example : "The U.S. is a republic."Republican Party /rɪˈpʌb.lɪ.kən ˈpɑːr.ti/ (noun): One of the two main U.S. political parties.
Example : "The Republican Party supports lower taxes."Right-wing /ˈraɪt.wɪŋ/ (adjective): Conservative or traditional political beliefs.
Example : "The candidate holds right-wing views."Runoff election /ˈrʌn.ɒf ɪˈlek.ʃən/ (noun): A secondary election to break a tie.
Example : "The race required a runoff election."Swing state /swɪŋ steɪt/ (noun): A state where support for parties is close.
Example : "Florida is a key swing state."Term /tɜːrm/ (noun): The fixed period for which an official serves.
Example : "The president serves a four-year term."Absentee voting /ˌæb.sənˈtiː ˈvoʊ.tɪŋ/ (noun): Casting a ballot without being physically present at a polling station.
Example : "Absentee voting allows military personnel stationed overseas to participate."Apportionment /əˈpɔːrʃ.ən.mənt/ (noun): The process of dividing the seats in a legislative body among electoral districts.
Example : "Apportionment is based on census data."Autocracy /ɔːˈtɒk.rə.si/ (noun): A system of government by one person with absolute power.
Example : "An autocracy has no elections."Ballot initiative /ˈbæl.ət ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪv/ (noun): A process that allows citizens to propose legislation or state amendments.
Example : "The ballot initiative was supported by 60% of voters."Blanket primary /ˈblæŋ.kɪt ˈpraɪ.mɛr.i/ (noun): A primary election where voters choose candidates across party lines.
Example : "California held a blanket primary this year."Bloc voting /blɒk ˈvoʊ.tɪŋ/ (noun): When members of a group vote together in support of a particular issue or candidate.
Example : "Labor unions often engage in bloc voting."Bipartisan /ˌbaɪˈpɑːr.tɪ.zən/ (adjective): Supported by members of both major political parties.
Example : "The legislation received bipartisan support."Campaign finance /ˈkæm.peɪn ˈfaɪ.næns/ (noun): Money raised and spent to promote candidates or political issues.
Example : "Campaign finance reform is a contentious issue."Campaign manager /ˈkæm.peɪn ˈmæn.ɪ.dʒər/ (noun): The person responsible for organizing and overseeing a political campaign.
Example : "Her campaign manager planned all events."Census /ˈsɛn.səs/ (noun): An official count or survey of a population.
Example : "The census affects the number of congressional seats per state."Closed primary /kloʊzd ˈpraɪ.mɛr.i/ (noun): A primary election in which only registered party members may vote.
Example : "Only Democrats could vote in the closed primary."Coalition /ˌkoʊ.əˈlɪʃ.ən/ (noun): An alliance of groups with common interests.
Example : "The coalition included environmental groups."Conservative /kənˈsɜː.və.tɪv/ (adjective): Favoring traditional values and cautious about change.
Example : "Conservative voters often prioritize fiscal policies."Constituent /kənˈstɪtʃ.u.ənt/ (noun): A person represented by an elected official.
Example : "Constituents expressed concerns at the town hall."Cross-pressured voter /krɒs ˈpreʃ.ərd ˈvoʊ.tər/ (noun): A voter who feels conflicted between different political pressures.
Example : "Cross-pressured voters can be difficult to predict."Delegate /ˈdɛl.ɪ.ɡət/ (noun): A person chosen to represent a party at a political convention.
Example : "Each state sends delegates to the national convention."Demographics /ˌdɛm.əˈɡræf.ɪks/ (noun): The statistical data of a population, especially regarding age, race, and income.
Example : "Candidates target demographics likely to vote."Disenfranchisement /ˌdɪs.ɪnˈfræn.tʃaɪz.mənt/ (noun): The revocation of the right to vote.
Example : "Historically, disenfranchisement affected minority groups."Electoral fraud /ɪˈlɛk.tər.əl frɔːd/ (noun): Illegal interference with the election process.
Example : "Electoral fraud undermines trust in democracy."Electorate /ɪˈlɛk.tər.ət/ (noun): All the people entitled to vote in an election.
Example : "The electorate will decide the outcome."Endorse /ɪnˈdɔːrs/ (verb): To publicly support a candidate or policy.
Example : "The union endorsed the incumbent."Federal Election Commission (FEC) /ˈfɛd.ər.əl ɪˈlɛk.ʃən kəˈmɪʃ.ən/ (noun): The body that regulates campaign finance in federal elections.
Example : "The FEC enforces election laws."First-past-the-post /fɜːrst ˈpæst ðə poʊst/ (noun): An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins.
Example : "The U.S. uses a first-past-the-post system."Flip-flop /ˈflɪp flɒp/ (noun): A sudden change in position on an issue.
Example : "The candidate was criticized for flip-flopping."GOTV (Get Out The Vote) /ɡɛt aʊt ðə voʊt/ (noun): Efforts to increase voter turnout.
Example : "Volunteers worked on a GOTV campaign."Grassroots /ˈɡræs.ruːts/ (adjective): Originating from the local level, typically driven by the community.
Example : "A grassroots movement supported the new policy."Incumbency advantage /ɪnˈkʌm.bən.si ædˈvæn.tɪdʒ/ (noun): The benefits an incumbent has over challengers.
Example : "Name recognition is part of the incumbency advantage."Independent voter /ˌɪn.dɪˈpɛn.dənt ˈvoʊ.tər/ (noun): A voter not aligned with a major party.
Example : "Independent voters often decide close elections."Inauguration /ɪˌnɔː.ɡjʊˈreɪ.ʃən/ (noun): The formal ceremony to install an elected official.
Example : "The inauguration takes place in January."Lame duck /leɪm dʌk/ (noun): An outgoing official whose successor has been elected.
Example : "Lame duck presidents have less influence."Liberal /ˈlɪb.ər.əl/ (adjective): Open to new behavior and willing to discard traditional values.
Example : "Liberal policies favor social equality."Majority /məˈdʒɔː.rɪ.ti/ (noun): More than half of a group.
Example : "A majority vote is required to pass legislation."Mandate /ˈmæn.deɪt/ (noun): The authority granted by the electorate to act on their behalf.
Example : "Winning by a large margin gives a mandate."Negative campaigning /ˈnɛɡ.ə.tɪv kæmˈpeɪn.ɪŋ/ (noun): Emphasizing opponent weaknesses rather than one's own strengths.
Example : "Negative campaigning can be effective but polarizing."Nomination /ˌnɒm.ɪˈneɪ.ʃən/ (noun): The process of selecting a candidate to run for office.
Example : "The convention will finalize the nomination."Nonpartisan /nɒnˈpɑːr.tɪ.zən/ (adjective): Not biased toward any political group.
Example : "The commission is nonpartisan."Partisan /ˈpɑːr.tɪ.zən/ (adjective): Strongly supportive of one political party.
Example : "Partisan divides affect legislation."Polling place /ˈpoʊ.lɪŋ pleɪs/ (noun): A location where voting takes place.
Example : "Polling places are open from 7 AM."Populism /ˈpɒp.jʊˌlɪ.zəm/ (noun): A political approach that appeals to ordinary people.
Example : "The candidate's populism drew widespread support."Proportional representation /prəˈpɔː.ʃən.əl ˌrɛp.rɪ.zɛnˈteɪ.ʃən/ (noun): Representation based on the proportion of votes received.
Example : "Some countries use proportional representation."Recount /ˈriː.kaʊnt/ (noun): A second count of votes to confirm results.
Example : "The close margin triggered a recount."Redistricting /ˌriːˈdɪs.trɪktɪŋ/ (noun): The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries.
Example : "Redistricting occurs every ten years."Registered voter /ˈrɛdʒ.ɪ.stərd ˈvoʊ.tər/ (noun): A person officially recorded to vote in elections.
Example : "Registered voters receive a voting card."Spoiler /ˈspɔɪ.lər/ (noun): A minor candidate who takes votes from a major candidate, possibly affecting the outcome.
Example : "The third-party candidate acted as a spoiler."Stump speech /stʌmp spiːtʃ/ (noun): A standard speech given by a candidate while campaigning.
Example : "Her stump speech focused on healthcare."Swing voter /swɪŋ ˈvoʊ.tər/ (noun): A voter who does not have a strong party preference.
Example : "Swing voters often decide elections."Term limit /tɜːrm ˈlɪm.ɪt/ (noun): A legal restriction on the number of terms an official can serve.
Example : "The president has a two-term limit."Turnout /ˈtɜːrn.aʊt/ (noun): The number or percentage of eligible voters who vote.
Example : "Turnout was high in the recent election."Voter ID /ˈvoʊ.tər aɪˈdiː/ (noun): Identification required to vote.
Example : "Voter ID laws vary by state."Voting booth /ˈvoʊ.tɪŋ buːθ/ (noun): A private area where a voter can cast their ballot.
Example : "She filled out her ballot in the voting booth."Voting machine /ˈvoʊ.tɪŋ məˈʃiːn/ (noun): A machine used to record and tally votes.
Example : "Many states use electronic voting machines."Ward /wɔːrd/ (noun): A division of a city or district for administrative purposes.
Example : "Each ward elects its own representative."Winner-takes-all /ˈwɪnər teɪks ɔːl/ (adjective): A system where the candidate with the most votes wins everything.
Example : "Most states use a winner-takes-all system."Write-in candidate /ˈraɪt ɪn ˈkæn.dɪˌdeɪt/ (noun): A candidate whose name is written on the ballot by voters.
Example : "The mayor won as a write-in candidate."Youth vote /juːθ voʊt/ (noun): The segment of voters aged 18-29.
Example : "Campaigns targeted the youth vote on social media."