15 elections terms

 

Psephology 

The study of voting and voting patterns. 

 Spoiled ballots 

Those ballot papers which are incorrectly filled. The returning officer has the final say over whether any paper not marked with a single cross is valid. 

 Tactical voting 

This is when people vote not for the party they really support, but for another party in order to keep out a more disliked rival. 

 Prorogation 

The act of ending a session of Parliament. Performed when an election is called. 

 Proxy or e-postal ballot system 

Voting from abroad through a proxy or e-postal ballot system. 

 Hung parliament 

If after an election no party has an overall majority, the parliament is said to be "hung". Under such circumstances the main parties often form a coalition government with one or more of the minor parties. 

 Bipartisan 

A cooperative effort by two political parties. 

 Gerrymander 

The reorganization of voting districts by the party in power to insure more votes for their candidates. 

 Whip 

The party member who makes sure that all other members are present for crucial votes and that they vote in accordance with the party line. 

 Silent Majority 

The mass of people whose opinions are not loud and public, but when combined have enormous power. 

 Exit poll 

An election exit poll is a poll of voters taken immediately after they have exited the polling stations. Exit polls are used to predict the outcome of the election before the polls are closed. 

 Suffragette 

A person who campaigned for the right of women to vote. 

 Swing voters 

Voters who do not have allegiance to a particular political party. 

 Redistricting 

Process in which the physical boundaries of a voting district are changed. 

 Confidence aud supply 

Smaller party supports a larger party in key Commons votes - specifically confidence votes and finance/supply bills - to keep it in power.