AP GoPo Vocab Units 1, 4, 5

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Amicus Curiae brief

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A legal document submitted by a 'friend of the court' for the purpose of raising additional points of view and presenting information not contained in the briefs of the formal parties.

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Caucus

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a meeting at which local members of a political party register their preference among candidates running for office.

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Closed primary

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A type of primary election used to choose candidates who will run in the general election, only voters registered for the party which is holding the primary may vote.

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Conservative

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A political and social philosophy promoting traditional social institutions.

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Constituent services

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Services provided by legislators to help constituents in their dealings with government agencies.

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Critical elections

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Elections that lead to major changes in the political landscape.

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Dealignment

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A trend or process whereby a large portion of the electorate abandons its previous partisan affiliation, without developing a new one to replace it.

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Democrat

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A member or supporter of the Democratic Party.

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Discretionary spending

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Government spending implemented through an appropriations bill.

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Entitlements

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A government program guaranteeing access to some benefit by members of a specific group and based on established rights or by legislation.