Terms Glossary

GoodParty.org's Terms Glossary is a list of definitions of words from the political and elections world. These terms are from an independent's perspective with an eye toward reform. If you have a suggestion for a new definition, send it to ask@goodparty.org.
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  • Help America Vote Act
    The Help America Vote Act is a federal law that was signed into law in October 2002. The purpose of the law was to create uniform and secure procedures for federal elections and to provide assistance with the modernization of election equipment and technology. The law required states to establish a ...
  • Heritage Foundation
    The Heritage Foundation is an American conservative think tank based in Washington, DC that promotes right-wing ideals and policies. Founded in 1973, the organization has become one of the most influential groups in the US, with its research and advocacy shaping both the Republican Party and the wid...
  • Home Rule
    Home rule means that a city or town has the power to make its own laws and decisions on local issues, instead of having the state government make those decisions for them. It gives local communities more control over what happens in their area. Rooted in the belief that those who live in a community...
  • Homogeneous
    Homogeneous is a term used to describe a society or population that is uniform in composition. It typically refers to a group of people who share a common race, ethnicity, religion, language, culture, or other factor. For example, a homogeneous community may consist of people from the same racial or...
  • House Rules Committee
    The House Rules Committee is responsible for determining the rules of debate and procedure for all bills that come before the House of Representatives. It has the power to limit or expand the scope of debate on bills, which can greatly influence the outcome of legislation. Furthermore, the Rules Com...
  • House of Representatives
    The House of Representatives is a legislative body in the United States government that is responsible for representing the interests of the people. It is made up of 435 members, who are elected to two-year terms from districts within each state.
  • Hyperpluralism
    Hyperpluralism describes a political system in which multiple parties exist and compete for power, resulting in a fragmented and dispersed legislative vote. Hyperpluralism can be seen as a reform-minded challenge to the two-party system which has long held a monopoly on American politics. It is base...