Terms Glossary

The Vermont Progressive Party is a political party in the United States that advocates for progressive causes and independent candidates. It was founded in 1999 and is the oldest and largest third party in the state of Vermont.

A veto is a constitutionally granted power of the executive branch to reject a bill passed by the legislature. A veto is a check on the power of the legislature, allowing the executive branch to protect the interests of the people and prevent unjust legislation.

A vice mayor, also sometimes known as a deputy mayor or assistant mayor, is an elected official in local government. Not all towns and cities have vice mayors. Vice mayors can play different roles in different communities, including acting as the town or city's chief operating officer or presiding o...

A vocal minority refers to a small but outspoken group that expresses strong opinions and exerts noticeable influence in public discussions, even when their views don’t reflect those of the broader population. This group often gains attention through activism, media coverage, or organized pressure c...

Vote buying is a practice where individuals or parties offer material or monetary incentives to voters in exchange for their votes. This unethical practice undermines the principle of free and fair elections, as it shifts the electoral decision-making process from an informed choice based on policie...

Voter apathy refers to the disinterest or indifference of eligible voters towards participating in electoral processes. Voter apathy often manifests in low voter turnouts, a lack of engagement with political discourse, and a general disinterest in public affairs. This phenomenon can be a barrier to ...

A voter guide is a resource that provides information about candidates and issues on the ballot for an upcoming election. It can be in the form of a brochure, a website, or a video and it's intended to help voters make informed decisions at the polls. Voter guides can be produced by a variety of org...

Voter suppression is the practice of limiting or inhibiting the ability of eligible voters to exercise their right to vote in an election. This is often done through discriminatory practices such as strict voter ID laws, purging of voter rolls, gerrymandering, and the manipulation of voting location...

Voter turnout is a measure of how many people actually vote in an election, as compared to the number of people eligible to vote. Low voter turnout may indicate that the people are not interested in the candidates or the issues at stake, or that the candidates are not communicating with the people i...

A voting machine is a device that is used in elections to mechanically tabulate, process, and record votes. It is an automated system that allows for a secure and accurate way to cast and count votes. Voting machines are designed to be tamper-proof and are typically used in elections that involve mu...

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that aimed to protect the voting rights of citizens in all states, ensuring that all citizens had an equal right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.