Election Vocabulary

A group of people from each state who come together to elect the President and Vice President

• electoral college

• swing state

• primary election

• voting bloc

A regularly scheduled election in which final candidates are selected for government office

• primary election

• secondary election

• premium election

• general election

A conservative political party which supports lower taxes, less government intervention in people's lives, and a strong military

• Democrat

• Libertarian

• Republican

• Green Party

The paper/computer screen on which a vote is marked.

• ballot

• debate

• nominee

• Google

State where the two major political parties have similar levels of support

• tie state

• slide state

• swing state

• split state

Political party which tends to be more liberal, supporting a strong federal government which helps people with things like health insurance and housing.

• Democrat

• Republican

• Libertarian

• Green Party

Organized discussion of important issues between 2 or more candidates with a moderator.

• rally

• town hall

• campaign speech

• debate

A person who has been formally selected by his/her party to run for an elected office.

• opponent

• nominee

• electoral college member

• delegate

A person chosen by a candidate to be their second in command.

• running mate

• officer

• chief supporter

• delegate

An election to select candidates who will run in a general (presidential) election

• special election

• secondary election

• primary election

• early election