A group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy

a system of classifying different political positions upon one or more geometric axes that symbolize independent political dimensions. (authoritarian-->libertarian & right-->left)

An electoral system with two dominant parties that compete in national elections. Favors stability instead of choice.

A system in which three or more political parties have the capacity to gain control of government separately or in coalition; Favors choice allowing for people to more closely align with a party/candidate.

an alliance, often temporary, of political parties to achieve a common goal; often necessary in multi-party systems in order for the system to function

electoral contenders other than the two major parties. In America, they rarely win elections. They do however influence the policies of the bigger two parties.

a voting district; the smallest area where elections are held

the place where the voters who live in a certain precinct go to vote

voters who are not members of a political party

Nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election

election in which voters decide which candidates will actually fill elective public offices

A primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote

A primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place

Anonymous voting method that helps to make elections fair and honest; prevents intimidation and abuse in the election process

the votes cast by individual voters in a presidential election, as opposed to the electoral vote

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

people elected by the voters in a presidential election as members of the electoral college; they often vote for the candidate winning the majority of votes in their state, however faithless electors stay true to a particular party's candidate even if that candidate loses.

Votes cast by electors; candidate needs 270 out of 538

Formal declaration of the principles and policies of a political party.

each individual part of a political party's platform

what the public thinks about a particular issue or set of issues at any point in time

Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, and other means of popular communication.

information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.

A survey of public opinion

Groups of people who work together for similar interests or goals

to try to persuade officials to support or reject a cause

A person who is employed by and acts for an organized interest group or corporation to try to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and legislative branches.

an organization that supports causes that affect the lives of Americans in general; not motivated by profit

A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations