Elections Vocabulary

to abandon V. to leave something behind; to give something up

to back V. to give support to

a ballot N. the piece of paper you write your vote on

to campaign V. to advertise oneself (or someone else) as a candidate in an upcoming election; to work towards getting oneself (or someone else) elected

a campaign  N. the process of trying to get oneself (or someone else) elected

to cast (a ballot) V. to put (your ballot) in the ballot box

connections N. social relationships which allow you certain opportunities; the people you know who can help you (get a job, raise money, gain power...) 

to debate V. to have a structured, formal argument about a controversial topic

a debate N. a structured, formal argument on a controversial topic

to elect V. to choose someone through a democratic vote to be a leader

an election N. the process of choosing a leader through a democratic vote

to run for  President V. to campaign to be President, to try to become President

to vote V. to formally express one's choice in writing or by raising one's hand; to make one's choice in an election

a vote  N. the act of formally expressing one's choice in writing or by raising one's hand

Exercise

1. If you want to…………………………  your ballot, the ballot box is over there near the voter information desk.

2. Women …………………………  in the U.S., but there has never been a women President.

3. Next month the presidential candidates are going to…………………………  health care and insurance issues in the United States.

4. That politician is absolutely wrong. I can't understand why the party would …………………………  him. How could they possible support such an ignorant person?

5. Who are you going to…………………………  for in the next election?

6. She is …………………………  for the Republican party and her husband is working for the Democratic party. What a crazy marriage they must have!

7. They carefully check your identification when you vote because they want to make sure you only …………………………  one . Otherwise, people might vote two or three times.