Terms Glossary

E-government, short for electronic government, refers to the use of digital tools and internet-based systems to deliver public services, share information, and engage citizens. E-government platforms and programs are designed to make government more accessible, transparent, and efficient through tec...

Early voting refers to the practice of allowing voters to cast their ballots before election day. This can be done in person at designated polling places or through absentee voting, which allows voters to request a ballot by mail or online.

Eco-socialism is an ideology that seeks to combine environmental sustainability with economic and social justice. It is a reform-minded movement that challenges the current status quo of two-party politics and corporate-controlled economic systems. Eco-socialism seeks to create a society that is bot...

Egalitarianism is the belief in equal political, economic, and social rights for all citizens regardless of race, gender, religion, or other factors. Egalitarianism holds that everyone should have an equal opportunity to contribute to society and enjoy the benefits of its progress.

The Election Assistance Commission is an independent, bipartisan commission established in 2002 to assist state and local governments with the administration of federal elections. Its mission is to promote and improve fair and uniform standards for election administration and to ensure that citizens...

An election board is a government body responsible for overseeing the administration of elections. This includes tasks such as registering voters, maintaining voter rolls, and ensuring that voting machines and other equipment are properly calibrated and functioning. The board also plays a role in en...

An election clerk is a person who is responsible for overseeing and conducting the administrative aspects of an election. This can include tasks such as registering voters, verifying voter eligibility, maintaining voter rolls, and counting votes. Election clerks are typically appointed or hired by a...

Election fraud encompasses a range of illegal activities designed to alter the outcome of an election, thereby subverting the will of the people. These acts not only distort the results of a specific election but also erode public trust in the democratic process, leading to long-term repercussions f...

Election policy is the set of laws and guidelines that govern the conduct of elections. These policies are designed to ensure that the electoral process is fair, transparent and free of corruption. Election policy is often determined by the government in power, which can lead to a two-party system t...

The electoral college is a formal body of 538 electors that elects the President and Vice President. Each state has as many electors in the Electoral College as it has Senators and Representatives in Congress, including the District of Columbia’s three electors. When voters cast a vote in the Presid...

An electoral commission is an independent body, typically established by the government, that is responsible for overseeing the process of elections and referendums within a country. Its primary role is to ensure that these democratic exercises are conducted fairly, freely, transparently, and impart...

The term "electorate" refers to the collective body of people who are entitled to vote in an election. The individuals who make up the electorate are sometimes called "electors."

Embezzlement is the intentional misappropriation of funds or property that have been entrusted to one’s care. To qualify as embezzlement, the offender must have been granted access to the assets that were misappropriated. 

An endorsement is a public declaration of support for a political candidate, party, or policy. Endorsements are typically made by an individual, organization, or influential figure. Endorsements are used to signal approval and to influence public opinion by lending credibility and visibility to the ...

Environmentalism is a political and social movement that advocates for the protection of the environment and the restoration of natural resources. It is a proactive stance towards improving the environment, with an emphasis on conservation, sustainability, and the responsible use of resources.

The establishment refers to influential individuals and institutions within political, economic, or social systems that hold significant power and influence. Often used in a critical context, the term suggests a well-entrenched group resistant to change and focused on maintaining the status quo.

The Establishment Clause is a foundational principle and key provision in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. As part of the Bill of Rights, it prohibits the government from establishing an official religion, endorsing any religion, or favoring one religion over another. This clau...

An exhausted ballot is a type of ballot that is not counted towards the final vote tally in an election. This can happen when a voter casts a vote for a candidate who has already been eliminated from the race, or when a voter casts multiple votes for the same office, which is known as overvoting. In...

In a political context, extortion refers to the coercive practice by which individuals or groups unlawfully demand benefits—usually money, services, or favors—from others under the threat of inflicting harm or detriment. In the realm of politics, this harm can be the misuse of political authority to...