Unit 8 - How Elections Work Vocabulary

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Faction

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a small, organized, dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics.

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Republican Party

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Antislavery political party that formed in the 1850's.

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Democrat Party

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Formed in the 1820s after split of the Democratic-Republican party on ideals after the loss of the War of 1812. Oldest surviving political party in the U.S.

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Nominate

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To select candidates to run for public office

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Gerrymandering

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Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

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Platform

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a political party's formal statement of basic principles, stands on major issues, and objectives

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Plank

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each individual part of a political party's platform. Republican Party example = lowering taxation

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Primary Election

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an election held to choose candidates for office. Voters are citizens

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Caucus

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A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform. Voters are members of that political party.

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Incumbent

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An officeholder who is seeking reelection.