Terms Glossary

Campaign contributions are donations made to support a political candidate's campaign for elected office. Contributions include anything of value, including gifts, loans, goods, or services that advance or support a political campaign. For example, permitting a candidate to use a venue for free or a...

Campaign finance refers to the money that is raised and spent by candidates, political parties, and other organizations to influence the outcome of an election. This can include everything from campaign contributions to advertising to voter outreach.

Candidacy is the formal or informal process of declaring intent to run for office in an election. Candidacy is a critical part of democratic processes and allows citizens to express their political views through their choice of candidates.

Candidate petitions are a type of political activity where individuals gather signatures to put forward a particular candidate's name to be placed on the ballot for an election. This form of political activity is important in encouraging greater democracy and providing an opportunity for more candid...

Canvassing is a grassroots campaign activity in which volunteers or campaign workers engage directly with potential voters to share information about a political candidate, party, or issue. Canvassing is a crucial strategy in political campaigns. It allows candidates to communicate their message dir...

Capitalism is an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are owned and controlled by individuals, as opposed to the government. It is characterized by private ownership of capital, competitive markets, free enterprise, and the pursuit of profit. Capitalism is the predominan...

A career politician is an individual whose primary occupation is the pursuit and maintenance of political office. Unlike those who enter politics after careers in other fields, career politicians typically dedicate their entire professional lives to political activities. This includes traditional ro...

A caucus system is a method of selecting a political party's nominee for a general election in which voters gather in person to discuss and vote on candidates. Unlike a primary election, which typically involves voters casting secret ballots, a caucus is a public meeting in which voters openly show ...

Centrism is a political ideology that seeks to find a balance between the left and right ends of the political spectrum. Centrists typically advocate for policies that draw from both progressive and conservative ideas, aiming for practical and moderate solutions that can appeal to a broader range of...

A Certificate of Election is a document issued by an election authority to declare the winners of an election and certify their eligibility to take office. It is a formal and legally binding statement of the results of an election and is used to verify the legitimacy of the elected officeholders. Th...

Character assassination is an attempt to tarnish an individual's reputation, usually through false accusations, misrepresentations, or exaggerations of facts. While the tactic can be found in various arenas, it's especially concerning in politics. In politics, character assassination can divert publ...

The system of checks and balances is a foundational principle in the American political system. Checks and balances are designed to ensure that no single branch of government - executive, legislative, or judicial - becomes too powerful. This system functions by granting each branch specific powers t...

In the United States, a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is an elected or appointed official responsible for managing a state's financial affairs, including budgeting, accounting, and investments. The specific duties of the CFO vary from state to state, but generally include overseeing the state's fina...

A chief of staff is a senior advisor and operations manager who helps a politician, public official, or executive leader manage their daily responsibilities, priorities, and team. In government, the chief of staff ensures that policy goals are implemented effectively and that communication between d...

A citizen is someone who has rights and responsibilities in their political community. A citizen is someone who has the right to vote, to express their opinions, and to hold their government accountable. They also have the responsibility to participate in public discourse, to stay informed of curren...

A citizen initiative is a form of direct democracy in which members of a community or electorate can propose legislation or constitutional amendments. This type of system allows members of the public to have a direct say in the policies and laws that govern them. It enables citizens to be more invol...

Citizens United v. FEC was a landmark 2010 Supreme Court decision that declared that the federal government cannot regulate the spending of corporations, labor unions, and other organizations on political campaigns and advertising. This decision effectively removed the limitations on independent exp...

The role of a city attorney is to serve as the chief legal advisor and representative for a city or municipality. City attorneys are typically appointed or elected, depending on local regulations. This individual provides legal counsel to city officials, departments, and sometimes even boards and co...

A city charter is a legal document that acts like a city’s constitution. It defines how the city government is organized, what powers it has, and how it operates. The charter outlines roles for elected officials, like the mayor, city council, and city manager. It also sets the rules for how local la...

A city clerk is a person who is an elected or appointed official in local government. City clerks are responsible for maintaining records, tracking and verifying documents, and ensuring that the local government is operating in accordance with the law. City clerks are often an undervalued part of th...

A city council is the legislative body of a city or municipality. A city council is responsible for making local laws, setting policies, approving budgets, and overseeing the administration of city services. Typically composed of elected officials, city councils act as the primary representatives of...

A city manager is a professional, nonpartisan position in a city or town's administrative hierarchy. Typically appointed by the city council or elected officials, the city manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the city. Being appointed means that the city manager is typically not elected. Th...

A city ordinance is a local law passed by a local government, like city council or town council. Ordinances set rules for how things work within a city, like where people can park, how late businesses can stay open, or what types of buildings can be built.

Civic engagement is a term used to describe the active involvement of citizens in the political process. This can include voting in elections, advocating for or against public policies, or running for office. Civic engagement also encompasses the willingness of individuals to participate in local co...

Civil discourse refers to the respectful exchange of ideas and opinions, especially on controversial topics. It prioritizes listening, empathy, and evidence-based discussion rather than personal attacks or hostility. In a healthy democracy, civil discourse is vital for problem-solving and building m...

Civil liberties are the individual rights and freedoms enjoyed by citizens of the United States, which include the right to free speech, freedom of religion, the right to vote, and the right to a fair trial. Civil liberties ensure that citizens have the power to challenge the government and take par...

Civil rights are the legal and political rights of citizens of a nation or state pertaining to freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and general individual rights. These rights are fundamental and protected by the Constitution of the United States and by international law. Civil rights are essentia...

A civil servant is a government employee who works in a professional, nonpolitical role to carry out the day-to-day operations of public agencies. Civil servants are part of the civil service, which includes the permanent staff that keeps the government running, no matter which party or elected offi...

Classical conservatism is a political ideology that emphasizes the preservation of traditional institutions, social order, and a cautious approach to change. Classical conservatives believe that society is an organic whole and advocate for a limited but strong government that maintains stability and...

Classical liberalism is a political belief system that emerged during the Enlightenment. It is based on the philosophies of early liberals like John Locke and Adam Smith. The principles of classical liberalism emphasize the importance of individual liberty, limited government, and free markets. Clas...

A closed primary is an electoral system in which only registered members of a particular political party are eligible to vote in that party's primary election. This means that only registered Democrats can vote in a Democratic primary, and only registered Republicans can vote in a Republican primary...

"Cloture" is a term deeply rooted in legislative procedures, particularly in the United States Senate. The term represents a crucial mechanism designed to control the duration of debate on a given issue, effectively limiting or ending a filibuster. Originating from the French word "clôture," meaning...

A coalition is a formal alliance between two or more political parties or groups that agree to work together to achieve common goals. Coalitions are often formed to increase political influence, advance shared policy objectives, or challenge the dominance of larger parties within a political system.

In the United States, a Commissioner of Public Lands is an elected official who is responsible for managing state-owned lands and natural resources, such as forests, parks, and mineral deposits. The specific duties of the Commissioner of Public Lands vary from state to state, but generally include m...

Communism is a socio-economic theory and political ideology that advocates for the collective ownership of the means of production and property, and the abolition of private property. Communism is often associated with oppressive authoritarian regimes and governments, such as the Soviet Union or com...

Community development is the process of improving a community by working together to make it a better place to live, work, and thrive. It focuses on meeting local needs, like housing, jobs, safety, and public spaces, through cooperation between residents, local government, public servants, and organ...

A community engagement plan outlines how a campaign, organization, or government will connect with constituents and local residents to build trust, share information, and encourage participation. It serves as a strategic roadmap for listening to community needs and turning feedback into action.

Community stakeholders are individuals, groups, or organizations with a vested interest in the well-being, development, or decision-making of a community. Common stakeholders in a community include local citizens, businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, faith groups, and government agencies. P...

A comptroller, sometimes referred to as a controller, is a key position responsible for financial management and oversight within a government organization or institution. The comptroller's duties include overseeing financial activities such as auditing, accounting, reporting, budgeting, and revenue...

Concurrent powers are authorities shared by multiple levels of government, most commonly between federal and state governments in the United States. Examples include the power to tax, build infrastructure, and enforce laws. Both federal and state governments can regulate commerce, collect taxes, bor...

A conference committee is a bipartisan body formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a legislative bill. Through negotiations, the members of the committee work to produce a single bill that is acceptable to both Houses. This process is often used when both chambers pass ...

A conflict of interest in politics arises when an individual's personal interests, relationships, or financial affairs potentially interfere with their duties and responsibilities in public office. This conflict can skew decision-making processes, leading to actions that may benefit the individual a...

The Congressional Record is a document that records the proceedings of the United States Congress. It includes the text of all legislation and resolutions, floor debates, committee hearings, and presidential messages. It is an invaluable tool for researchers, historians, and citizens alike. However,...

Conservatism is a political ideology that advocates for limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the preservation of traditional values. At its core, conservatism emphasizes the importance of maintaining social stability and continuity through respect for established institutions, such as fami...

The Conservative Party of New York State is a political party established in 1962 to promote conservative principles such as limited government, low taxes, and individual responsibility. The party was founded in response to what its members perceived as a shift of the New York wing of the Republican...

A constituency is a defined geographic area from which voters elect representatives to a legislative body, such as a city council, state legislature, or national parliament. A constituency can also refers to a body of voters. Voters within a constituency often share common interests or concerns, suc...

In American politics, a constituent is a member of a constituency. Put more simply, a constituent is a resident of a certain electoral district. Typically, a constituent is a member of the electorate who is qualified to vote for their district's representatives.

Constituent services are the ways elected officials and their staff help the people they represent (constituents) with issues related to government programs, benefits, or policies. These services are a key part of how public officials stay connected and accountable to their communities.For example, ...

The Constitution Party is a political party in the United States that seeks to restore government to its original constitutional principles. Founded in 1992, the Constitution Party is considered one of the most conservative of the third-party organizations in the United States. The Constitution Part...

A constitutional republic is a form of government in which the state's authority is both derived from and limited by a governing constitution. This political system balances the power of the people with the authority of elected representatives. This balance ensures that the rights and liberties of c...

Contiguity refers to the physical proximity or closeness of two or more entities, such as geographic areas, political parties, or ideas. In politics, contiguity often describes how electoral districts are drawn so that they are connected or adjacent, ensuring that the boundaries are continuous witho...

A continuing resolution (CR) is a type of budgetary legislation used in the United States Congress to fund government operations and programs when the budget has not yet been finalized. It is a temporary measure, allowing for the government to remain operational until a permanent budget is passed. T...

Contributions and spending limits refer to the regulations placed on the amount of money that individuals, organizations, and political action committees (PACs) can donate to a candidate's campaign, as well as the amount a candidate can spend on their campaign. These limits are put in place to preve...

In the United States, a Controller (sometimes called a Comptroller) is an elected or appointed official responsible for overseeing the financial operations of a government entity, such as a city, county, or state government. The specific duties of the Controller vary depending on the jurisdiction, b...

The Council-Manager Government is a form of local government. It combines the democratic leadership of elected officials with the administrative expertise of an appointed manager. This form of municipal governance strives to balance political responsiveness with professional management, aiming to br...

County clerk is a public official responsible for performing administrative duties for their county. This includes but is not limited to, issuing marriage licenses, registering voters, and collecting taxes. The county clerk is the public's entry point into the local government. These clerks are elec...

A county commissioner is an elected official who plays a crucial role in managing and overseeing the operations of a county. This person serves as a primary point of contact for citizens seeking assistance with local issues. County commissioners are responsible for shaping the quality of life within...

Cronyism is a form of corruption where those in power give preferential treatment, jobs, contracts, or other benefits to friends, family members, or loyal supporters, regardless of their qualifications or merit. This practice, which is sometimes tied to nepotism, undermines the principles of fairnes...

Crowdfunding is a method of raising funds by pooling small contributions from a large number of individuals. This process is often facilitated by the internet and social media.