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.