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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  • Qualified Majority
    "Qualified Majority" is a term used in political and legislative contexts to describe a type of voting requirement that exceeds a simple majority. Unlike a simple majority, where more than half of the votes cast is sufficient for decision-making, a qualified majority requires a higher percentage of ...
  • Qualifying Period
    A qualifying period is a set time frame during which candidates can officially register to run for office or for initiatives to gather signatures. It's a window of opportunity for political hopefuls to submit their paperwork and meet the requirements to get their name on the ballot. The length of th...
  • Quid Pro Quo
    Quid pro quo is a Latin phrase meaning "something for something" or "this for that." It refers to a mutual agreement, where one party provides something of value to another in exchange for something else of value. In the context of politics and governance, the term "quid pro quo" often carries a neg...
  • Quorum
    A quorum is the minimum number of members who must be present for a group to officially meet and make decisions. If a quorum isn’t met, the group can talk or share updates, but it usually cannot vote or take any official action. For example, if a seven-member city council needs four members to be pr...