Party Machine A highly organized political group under the leadership of a boss or a small clique

Gender Gap A disparity in a candidates popularity, between male and female voters

Constituency The residents of an electoral district who are entitled to elect a candidate to represent them in government

Primary Process of selecting a party’s nominee

Ticket A group of two or more candidates from the same political group who are running for office as a team

Plank One item in the official position of a political party

Partisan One who fiercely favors one party or the candidates of that party

Mandate An electoral outcome in which the voters express clear and strong approval for the victorious party’s program

Dove Person who advocates peace as a national policy

Hawk Person who advocates war or aggressive action

Handler Political advisor

Incumbent The current holder of a political office

Elector A person chosen by a state to cast one of its votes in a presidential election

Populism A political appeal directed chiefly at promoting the rights and interests of the masses

Lame Duck An elected official whose power is waning because his or her term is ending

Grass Roots The general public who vote in an election, in contrast to the leadership of a political party

Running Mate A candidate’s partner; the second candidate on a team who wish to be elected together

Coalition An alliance between different factions or interest groups

Campaign Trail The places visited by a candidate seeking to be elected

Front Runner The candidate who appear to be winning an election

Sound Bites Short segments of speeches or campaign appearances that fit nicely into TV news

Landslide A political victory by an overwhelming majority of votes

Coattails Candidates are said to have these if their popularity rubs off on another candidate of their party

War Horse Politician or soldier who has survived many struggles and conflicts

Fat Cat Wealthy person who is expected to make large contributions to a campaign

Favorite Son A candidate born or living in the state or community where an election is held

Dark Horse Candidate who is not expected to win easily

Platform The principles and policies adopted by a political party upon which it seeks to be elected

Hard-liners Those who favor an uncompromising position on an issue or toward another party, country or group

Polls Questions asked of voters during an election to determine their preferences regarding the candidates and the issues in a campaign; the place where votes are cast or recorded