American Political Vocabulary

The power of a president or governor to reject a bill proposed by a legislature by refusing to sign it into law

Someone seeking to influence a politician or public official on an issue, especially for personal gain

An election held on a party-by-party basis that appoints delegates who then select the candidates for a general election

An official who is currently holding office

An elected representative who isn't a member of a political party

A meeting between local members of a political party used to select their preferred candidate to run for office in the general election

A politician of the Republican Party deemed insufficiently loyal to the party, or misaligned with the party's ideology

The election that takes place around halfway through the term of the President

An official appointed by the President who is in charge of a government department

The body of advisers to the president, composed of the heads of the executive departments of the government and the Vice President

To make an agreement official by signing a document or voting to confirm it

A poll in which everyone in a jurisdiction can vote on a specific issue, often used to amend a state's constitution

When a government spends less than the amount it receives as revenue during a certain period

A legislative body that has two chambers

Written support from the general public for a specific bill, also used by candidates as a method of obtaining ballot access

To manipulate the boundaries of a congressional district to favor a certain party

An elected official whose successor has already been elected

A prolonged debate on proposed legislation by one or more members of the Senate, which is meant to delay or entirely prevent a vote

A legislator whose job is to gain support for their party's legislation

The appropriation of government spending by a member of Congress which will primarily benefit their constituency