ballot
The list of candidates on a paper or computer form that voters use to vote.
bill
A plan for a law.
campaign
The activities, such as interviews, speeches, and debates, a candidate prepares for in order to get elected.
candidate
A person who runs for office in an election.
capital
The city where the people of our government work.
Capitol
The building where Congress meets and works.
caucus
A neighborhood meeting in which members vote for their favorite candidate.
citizen
A person who is a member of a community, state, or country.
conservative
A person who favors traditional ideas and values.
Congress
The legislative branch has two parts—the House of Representatives and the Senate; Congress writes laws.
Constitution
A written plan that states the laws of the United States government.
convention
A meeting held by political parties to announce the candidates running for President and Vice President.
economy
The way a place uses its money, goods, natural resources, and services.
Election Day
The Tuesday after the first Monday in November when Americans vote for new leaders.
election
The time when we vote for our leaders and new laws.
Electoral College
A group of people from each state who vote directly for President and Vice President in an election.
executive branch
The part of government that carries out laws; the President is part of the executive branch.
Founders
Leaders who helped to create the United States government, including those who signed the Constitution.
Independent
A voter or candidate who does not belong to a political party.
issues
Problems or concerns facing the country.
Inauguration Day
The ceremony held in January following an election to mark the new term of a President.
platform
A party’s plan and ideas on how to run the country.
political party
A group of people who have the same ideas about how to run the country.
politician
A person who works for the government.
polling place
A public building where people vote in an election, such as a school or library.
popular vote
The total number of votes cast by voters in an election.
President
The leader of a country.
primary
A state election where voters use secret ballots to vote for a candidate.
register
To sign up before an election in order to vote.
running mate
The presidential candidate chooses a person who will run as Vice President; he or she is the running mate.
symbol
A person, place, or thing that has a special meaning.
senator
A member of the U.S. Senate.
Senate
One of two parts in Congress; the other is the House of Representatives.
super delegate
Elected officials, party leaders, and members of Congress who vote for a candidate when there is no winner during the primaries and caucuses.
third party
A political party that is not one of the two main parties—the Democrats and the Republicans; third parties are formed to support one issue or candidate.
taxes
Money that people pay the government.