Government Unit 4 Vocab

Secret Ballot

A ballot that is kept private and is distributed only at the polling places by the election officials.

Poll Watcher

A citizen who is paid by the parties to keep a watchful eye on the voters and the officials.

Dictatorship

A country with a one-party leader who is in complete control

Representative Democracies

A democracy where the people elect representatives to act as their agents in enforcing laws.

Appointment

A designation to serve, based upon ability and other qualifications.

voting booth

A device used in elections; its privacy curtain or shield ensures the citizen of secrecy while voting.

Political Parties

A group of people organized with a governmental agenda in mind.

Faction

A group that may not be in agreement with the general direction of the larger population.

The Democratic Digest

A monthly digest of information for Democrats.

The Republican

A monthly digest of information for Republicans.

Whig Party

A party formed mainly to fight the Democratic party and Andrew Jackson.

Era of Good Feelings

A period from 1816-1824 where there was only one political party: the Democrat-Republicans.

Incumbent

A person who currently holds an office.

Candidate

A person who desires a position in a political office.

Challenger

A person who does not hold an office but who is trying to unseat an incumbent.

Strategy

A plan of action.

Program

A political plan of action

Scandal

A public shame or disgrace brought about by illegal or unethical actions.

Austrailian Ballot

A secret ballot, originated in Australia.

Short Ballot

A ticket for voting that shows only the names of the candidates for the highest offices.

Partisian

A type of person who will staunchly campaign or vote for only one political party.

Open Primary

A type of primary where all qualified voters may vote for the candidates of the party they desire.

Campaign

A unified and organized effort with a goal in mind.

Independents

A voter with no party affiliation.

Adopt

Accepted and agreed upon.

Primary

An early election in which delegates select and nominate candidates for office.

Precinct

An election region or section of a community.

Controversial

An issue that may not be agreed upon by many different sides, and causes many debates.

Plank

An issue upon which the campaign may build, such as civil rights, taxes, energy, or education.

Oral Voting

An older, less private form of voting where the voters would call out the name of the candidate.

Economic Unrest

An uneasiness due to the lack of stability in the financial market.

Patronage

Appointing individuals to political offices.

Provision

Arrangement or groundwork laid to establish a program.

County Convention

Delegates nominate county officers, elect a chairman, and chose delegates to the state convention.

Polling Official

Designated authorities who see to the fairness of the election at each voting precinct.

Administration

Executive branch of the American government; particularly used in relation to the office-holder.

General Election

Follows the primary election; voters determine which of the nominated candidates shall hold office.

Loose Construction

Free interpretation of Constitution, allowing federal government powers not specifically denied it.

Constitutional Convention

Gathering to creating a Constitution which would lay down the laws for running the U.S.

Majority

Having the larger number in a house of Congress, assuring strong voting power.

Contested Election

If a losing candidate feels that fraud has occurred he may call for a recount of the votes.

Carried

In an national election, a candidate won the vote in a particular state.

Announcement

Individual fills out documentation and pays a filing fee to state that he seeks a political office.

Strict Construction

Interpretation of the Constitution that limits the Federal government to powers delegated to it.

Landslide Defeat

Losing by a large margin in an election

Absentee Voting

Made for those who cannot be present at their polling place because of health or obligation.

Voting Machine

Mechanism used in elections; with a systems of buttons and levers.

Party-raiding

Members of one party move into the primary of the other party to choose candidates.

Direct Primary

Members vote to choose the candidate who is to represent their party in the general election.

War Chest

Money designated for the purpose of conducting a winning campaign.

Party Column Method

Names of parties appear at tops of columns; titles of the various offices are shown at the sides.

National Level

On a country-wide scale.

Local Level

On a smaller, non-widespread scale.

Federalist

One of the first two American political parties; it wanted a strong central government.

Anti-Federalist

One of the first two American political parties; it wanted a weak central government.

Appointee

One who is nominated or designated to a position.

Inspector

One who is responsible for the proper conduct of the election.

Alien and Sedition Act

Passed by the Federalists which gave the President power to deport aliens he deemed dangerous.

Constituency

People of a certain region who elected a representative, who then is answerable to these people.

Provincial

Pertaining to Canada; regional or territorial.

Stock Market Crash of 1929

Saw the market lose so much power that many people lost their fortunes in the matter of days.`

Election Board

Selected by the district election board, a group that sees to the fairness and efficiency of an election.

Polling Place

Specific voting area; each voter is assigned a particular place within the district where he lives.

State Convention

State delegates nominate candidates for offices and nominate delegates to the national convention.

Specific Leaders

The chairman of the national committee and the presidential candidate.

Ballot Box

The container into which votes are put.

Mass Meeting

The convention that mobilizes the agenda and announces candidates for the national election.

Platform

The declared policy of a political group.

Campaign Manager

The director of a political agenda whose goal is to place a chosen candidate in office.

Public Relation

The effort to establish a favorable impression with the populace.

Central Government

The federal power of the country.

Committee

The group of leaders who make the major decisions in the political party's election strategy.

Plurality

The most votes cast, but not necessarily a majority.

Referendum

The submitting of a proposed public measure for voting by the general public.

Electoral Vote

The vote each state is given to cast for a national candidate for President of the United States.

Closed Primary

The voter declares his party allegiance and votes for the ballot of his own party.

Office-bloc Arrangement

Titles of offices appear across ballot, candidates of both parties for office are placed below the titles.

Nominate

To formally suggest and recommend a candidate for election.

Concede

To yield or surrender, to admit or acknowledge.

Straight Ticket

Voting by marking an "X" at the top of the ballot beside the name of the party of his choice.

Split Ticket

Voting for the best candidates for each office regardless of party.

Declaration of Candidacy

When a person wishes to be a candidate for the party, he will make an announcement of intention.

Caucus

a gathering of party leaders to talk over possible candidates.