A ballot that the voter did not place in the ballot box or record as cast on a direct electronic recording device before leaving the polling place.
An application a voter submits to receive an absentee ballot.
A ballot cast by a voter other than in‑person on Election Day. Some jurisdictions use the term synonymously with mailed ballots while others use the term synonymously with early voting.
Legislative provisions that authorize the spending of government funds for specific purposes.
The official presentation of all of the contests to be decided in a particular election, in paper or electronic form.
The ability to mark, cast, and verify a ballot privately and independently.
A group of individuals appointed, usually by local authorities, and charged with control of elections and voting procedure.
A financial plan that estimates government revenues and authorizes expenditures for a set period, usually a fiscal year.
Senior officials who lead executive departments and advise the chief executive; for the federal government these are the heads of the 15 executive departments.
When an authorized government authority proclaims that an election will take place at a particular time.
A series of organized political activities intended to influence a political vote for or against candidates or ballot measures.
Anything of value given, loaned, or advanced to influence a political vote for or against candidates or ballot questions.
A form of executive clemency that reduces the severity of a criminal sentence without voiding the underlying conviction.
example definition
An individual who holds executive authority—such as a President, Governor, Mayor, or County Executive—and can make decisions or set policy without requiring a vote of a legislative body.
The branch of government charged with enforcing laws and administering public policy, headed by an elected executive such as the President or a Governor.
The national level of government in the United States, consisting of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches and having authority over all states and territories.
The regular election in which voters make the final choice among candidates who won nomination in the primaries or by petition.
The branch of government that interprets laws and administers justice through courts; at the federal level it is headed by the Supreme Court.
The branch of government empowered to make laws, appropriate funds, and provide oversight; at the federal level it is Congress, at the state level the state legislature.
Government at the county, parish, municipal, township, or other sub‑state level that administers local services and ordinances.
An act of executive clemency that completely removes the legal consequences of a criminal conviction.
An election in which voters select a party’s nominees for the general election. Primaries can be closed—allowing only registered party members—or open, allowing any voter to choose which party’s primary to vote in.
An election method that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference; votes are redistributed in rounds until a candidate reaches the required majority.
An additional election held when no candidate meets the threshold for victory in the first round, typically to determine a winner between the top vote‑getters.
The governing authority of an individual U.S. state, consisting of executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and exercising powers reserved to the states by the Constitution.
The legislative body of a state, typically consisting of a House/Assembly and a Senate, responsible for enacting state laws and approving budgets.
Compulsory contributions levied by federal, state, or local governments on individuals or entities—including income, sales, and property taxes—to fund public services.
this can be edited: Legal restrictions that cap the number of terms or years an elected official may serve in a particular office.
A primary system in which all candidates appear on a single ballot and the two candidates receiving the most votes, regardless of party, advance to the general election. Used in California and Washington; Louisiana uses a similar ‘jungle’ primary.