E: Clode's Right Political Dictionary
“Electoral College” This is a type of delegate system, used to select someone to a senior position. One common example is in party preselections, where branch representatives choose a party candidate for a constituency. Anothre prominent example is in the United States Presidential elections, where voters do not directly elect the President, but instead elect representatives of their preferred candidate. Electoral college members then come together after the general public has voted, to choose the US President.
“Electoral / Election Commission” Such bodies are independent regulatory agencies charged with conducting public elections. They control the invitation for nominations; production of ballot papers; manning of booths; counting of votes; administration of appeals. Such bodies sometimes enforce campaign finance laws, which cover the raising and spending of election funds by political parties and candidates. (See “Electoral Law”)
“Electoral Law” Electoral laws often govern the financing of elections, requiring candidates, parties or political committees to conform to certain standards of conduct. Such laws sometimes require disclosure of the sources of campaign funding; require disclosure of details of spending; limit the way in which donations are received and spent; limit the total of donations and/or limit of the total of individual donations; govern the disbursement of any public funding for parties; regulate how public electoral bodies must conduct the ballot – including the counting of votes. (See “Election/ Electoral Commission”)
“Electoral roll” This is the official list naming all the people who are allowed to vote in an election.
“Electorate” This word can mean both the geographic area that a parliamentarian represents and all of the people who live in the area represented by a member of parliament.
“Enrolment Drives” These drives involve a process of encouraging eligible people to enrol to vote, when they are not yet on the electoral roll. These drives can involve doorknocking, direct mail or telephone calls. It is common to target young voters, or families which have moved home into a different electorate. A party can also take this opportunity to educate young voters about the party and about politics in general (the first vote cast by someone in their lives can be influential in determining their future party loyalty). It is also possible to recruit new party members or elicit donations during an enrolment drive.