Terms Glossary

A Labor Commissioner is a government official who is responsible for enforcing labor law and protecting the rights of workers. This is often done through the mediation of disputes between employers and employees, or through the investigation of suspected violations of labor law. This position is esp...

A Land Commissioner is a political official responsible for managing and conserving a state's public lands, such as parks, forests, and wildlife. The Land Commissioner is typically the head of the state land office and is often an elected position. The Land Commissioner is responsible for managing s...

Language minority voters are individuals whose primary language is not English and who may face language barriers when accessing the voting process. Language minority voters may feel excluded from the political process because of the lack of language support, such as bilingual ballots or voting mate...

A lawful permanent resident is a foreign national who has been lawfully admitted to the United States with the intention of residing permanently. This designation grants individuals certain rights, including the right to work in the United States, access to social services, and the opportunity to tr...

The term "lesser of two evils" in politics refers to a situation where voters face a choice between two major-party candidates, neither of whom they find particularly appealing, but feel compelled to vote for the one they perceive as less undesirable. For example, a voter might not like either the R...

Liberalism is the idea that individuals should be free to choose and pursue their own goals and interests, while government should be responsible for protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens. Liberalism holds that all individuals should have the right to enjoy the same civil liberties and poli...

The Libertarian Party is a reform-minded political party in the United States that is committed to individual freedom, economic freedom, and personal responsibility. It stands for the idea that government should be limited to its proper role, protecting citizens from coercion and violence, and leavi...

Libertarianism is a political philosophy that promotes individual liberty and limited government. Its adherents argue for the freedom of individuals to make choices about their own lives and for the minimization of state power and involvement in the economy and society. It stands in opposition to au...

The lieutenant governor is the second-highest executive officer in their state government, serving as the primary assistant to the governor. This position is often held by a member of the governor's own political party, but there is an emerging trend towards independent candidates, as well as cross-...

Limited government is the idea that government should be small and limited in its scope and power, with citizens having the maximum freedom and autonomy possible. This approach is rooted in the belief that the less government interference in people's lives, the better. It is also based on the idea o...

Lobbying is the process of attempting to influence legislation, policy-making, or the decision-making of public officials, usually by individuals or groups outside of the government. It is a tool used to pressure elected officials to support or oppose certain policies, legislation, or regulations. L...

Local government refers to the administration and management of local affairs within a specific geographic area. This can include city, county, and state governments, as well as school boards, water districts, and other special purpose districts.