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1.
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political party
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an association of voters with broad common interest who want to influence or control decision making in government by electing the party's candidates to public office
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2.
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two-party system
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a system of government in which two parties compete for power.
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3.
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third party
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a party that challenges the two major parties
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4.
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platform
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a series of statements expressing the party's principle's beliefs, and positions on election issues.
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5.
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plank
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each individual part of a political party's platform
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6.
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national committee
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representatives from the 50 state arty organizations who run a political party.
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7.
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caucus
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a meeting of political party members to conduct party business
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8.
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precinct
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a geographic area that contains a specific number of voters.
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9.
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ward
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several adjoining precincts making up a larger election unit.
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10.
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political machine
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a strong party organization that can control political appointments and deliver votes.
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11.
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direct primary
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an election in which voters choose candidates to represent each party in general elections.
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12.
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closed primary
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an election in which only the declared members of a party are allowed to vote for that party's nominees.
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13.
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open primary
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an election in which voters need not declare their party preference to vote for the party's nominees.
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14.
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plurality
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the most votes among all those running for a political office.
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15.
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majority
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a number that is more than 50 percent of the total
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16.
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petition
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a process by which candidates who are not affiliated with one or two major parties can get on the ballot for the general election.
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17.
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polling place
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location where voting is carried out
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18.
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precinct
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a geographic area that contains a specific number of voters.
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19.
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ballot
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the list of candidates on which you cast your vote
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20.
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absentee ballot
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on that allows a person to vote without going to the polls on election day
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21.
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returns
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ballots and results of an election
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22.
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exit poll
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a survey taken at polling places of how people voted.
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23.
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electorate
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all the people who are eligible to vote
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24.
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apathy
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a lack of interest
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25.
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electoral college
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a group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice-president.
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26.
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initiative
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a procedure by which citizens can propose new laws or state constitutional amendments.
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27.
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proposition
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a petition asking for a new law.
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28.
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referendum
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a way for citizens to vote on state or local laws.
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29.
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recall
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a special election in which citizens can vote to remove a pubic official from office
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30.
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elector
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a person appointed to vote in presidential elections for he the major candidates.
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31.
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winner-take-all system
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a system in which the candidate who wins the popular vote i in a state usually receives all of the state's electoral votes.
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32.
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propaganda
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certain ideas that may involve misleading messages designed to manipulate people.
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33.
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political action committee (PAC)
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political organization established by a corporation,labor union or other special-interest group designed to support candidates by contributing money.
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34.
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soft money
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donations given to political parties and not designated for a particular candidate's election campaign.
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35.
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incumbent
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a politician who has already been elected to office.
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