Civics-Campaigns & Elections Definitions

midterm election

A Congressional election held half-way between presidential elections. Approximately 1/3 of Senate seats and the entire body of the House of Representatives are up for election. Some consider the results a reflection of the electorate's views on the incumbent president's performance.

federal election commission (F.E.C.)

A commission that oversees federal campaigns. Founded in 1974.

political action committee (PAC)

A group of people joined by a shared interest. A PAC can donate up to $5,000 per candidate per election.

citizen

A member of a state or other political community. Only United States citizens are allowed to vote in political elections.

lobbyist

A person who attempts to influence a candidate's platform toward a specific issue. They are often accused of using soft money to gain the candidate's support for their issue.

running mate

A presidential candidate will choose another individual to run for vice president. This person is the president's running mate.

primary

A stage in the election process in which voters cast their ballots for their preferred candidate or delegate who represents that candidate. The outcome of a primary indicates to party leaders, the media, and the public the chance each candidate has to be elected. Primaries are the main way to nominate a candidate.

independent

A voter who does not claim to be a member of a political party. (This voter will exercise a free choice in voting with either party on different candidates and issues.)

campaign finance reform

Any effort to change federal campaign finance laws and practices. The most recent campaign finance reform debate centers around a proposal from Sen. McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Feingold (D-WI) that will restrict the amount of soft money allowed to be used by candidates in federal elections.

early money

Campaign money given before or during primaries. These funds help a campaign establish momentum.

election day

Federal elections are held on the first Tuesday, after the first Monday in November on even-numbered years. Presidential elections are held every four years. It is on this date that the American public votes for its choice of president.

issues

Ideas and points of debate around which candidates may develop policy. Issues are sometimes divided into those that concern domestic affairs within the United States, and those related to foreign policy.

caucus

Meetings where party members gather together to nominate a candidate. Caucuses usually involve a series of meetings held over weeks or months, attended by a select group of party members. Both the Democratic and Republican Parties have their own rules governing caucuses and operation of the caucuses changes from state to state.

straw poll

a non-official, non-scientific study of voter preferences in an election

national conventions

National party conventions are huge media events where thousands of delegates convene to officially nominate their party's candidate. The convention provides a platform to declare their party's nominee and vice presidential running mate. Each party's platform is also discussed and announced at conventions.

pollster

a person or company whose duty is to research public opinion

nominee

a person proposed by others for election to office

media

Press coverage of political events that communicate political issues and occurrences to the public. This coverage can be intentionally or unintentionally biased in favor of a particular candidate.

matching funds

Primary presidential candidates are eligible to receive dollar-for-dollar funds from the federal government that match the amount they have raised through their own efforts. They can receive matching funds only if they agree to limit their spending to $46 million (FEC estimate for 2004) during the primaries.

non-partisan

a person who does not identify with any particular political party

partisan

a person who is strongly devoted to a political party

campaign

a schedule of planned actions and events leading to the election of the candidate

poll

The place where votes are cast. The term "poll" is also used to describe a survey researching public opinion.

precinct

The precinct, which divides portions into sort of neighborhoods, is the smallest political unit in politics. A precinct can have between 200 and 1,000 voters.

spin

The presentation of information that is biased or slanted to favor a candidate. Advisors to a candidate may engage in "spin" in their communications to the media.

debate

a discussion between candidates held to address issues and campaign platforms

federal

a form of government in which power is divided between one central power and several regional powers

democracy

a government of the people, by the people, and for the people

grassroots

a grassroots campaign is one that involves the citizens (common people) as a main political group

electoral college

a group of individuals who formally elect the United States president and vice-president

party

a group united by similar political values, joined to influence the federal election

absentee voting

a method of voting which enables registered voters to vote in a given election without physically going to the polls

platform

a statement of issues announced at party conventions

incumbent

an individual currently holding a position of office

candidate

an individual running for office in an election

delegate

an individual that is appointed or elected to represent others

soft money

funds raised by political parties directed towards party building and not directly towards supporting federal candidates

G.O.P

refers to the republican party, previously known as the Grand Old Party

rhetoric

the ability to effectively use language, through the practice of exaggeration or display, to influence others.

landslide

the occurrence of a shocking electoral victory in which one candidate's votes far surpass those of other candidates

election cycle

the period before an election during which candidates raise money and seek voters' support