Citizen Responsibility and Voting Law

Primary Election

Election in which voters decide which of the candidates within a party will represent the party in the general election

Vote

Express a choice or opinion

Recall

An election in which voters can remove an incumbent from office by popular vote

Retrospective Voting

Basing voting decisions on reactions to past performance; approving the status quo or signaling a desire for change

Prospective Voting

Basing voting decisions on well-informed opinions and consideration of the future consequences of a given vote

Electoral College

A body of people representing the states of the U.S., who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president

Mandate

A command from the voters

Citizen

A native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection

Absentee Ballot

A paper ballot used by people who must vote in advance because they cannot be present on Election Day

Runoff Primary

A second primary election between the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes in the first primary

Crossover Voting

A voter who is registered as a member of one political party but who votes in the primary of another party

General Election

Election in which voters decide which candidates will actually fill elective public offices

Civic Values

Important principles that serve as the foundation of our democratic form of government. These values include justice, honesty, self-discipline, due process of law, equality, majority rule with respect for minority rights, and respect of self, others, and property

Citizenship

Membership in a community (neighborhood, school, region, state, nation, world) with its accompanying rights, responsibilities, and dispositions

Closed Primary

Primary available only to a single party

Open Primary

Primary available to all voters

Tax

The charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government

Electorate

The citizens who are eligible to vote

Civic Duty

The duties of a citizen (mandatory). These duties include paying taxes, obeying laws, jury duty, and serving as a witness

Laws

The duty of everyone to follow the rules and regulations created by the government

Selective Service

The duty of males, 18 years or older, to register for the draft

Suffrage

The legal right to vote, extended to African Americans by the Fifteenth Amendment, to women by the Nineteenth Amendment, and to people over the age of 18 by the Twenty-sixth Amendment

Allegiance

The loyalty that citizens owe to their country

Civic Responsibility

The responsibilities of a citizen (voluntary). These responsibilities include voting properly and wisely in elections, being an active member in the community and civic organizations, and being well-informed on current affairs or issues

Jury Duty

The responsibility of every citizen to serve on a jury when called