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

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

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

4. Primary Process of selecting a party’s nominee

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

6. Plank One item in the official position of a political party

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

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

9. Dove Person who advocates peace as a national policy

10. Hawk Person who advocates war or aggressive action

11. Handler Political advisor

12. Incumbent The current holder of a political office

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

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

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

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

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

18. Coalition An alliance between different factions or interest groups

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

20. Front Runner The candidate who appear to be winning an election

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

22. Landslide A political victory by an overwhelming majority of votes

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

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

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

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

27. Dark Horse Candidate who is not expected to win easily

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

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

30. 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