Elections Vocabulary Quiz
12 questions on election terms: candidate, ballot, constituency, turnout and the polling station. B1–B2 level.
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Elections Vocabulary — FAQ
A candidate is a person who puts themselves forward to be elected to a position, such as a seat in parliament or a local council. Candidates usually belong to a political party, though some stand as independents, and they campaign to win votes.
A ballot is the method by which people record their vote, and the word also refers to the ballot paper itself. Voters mark their choice in secret, then place the paper in a sealed box so that the count is fair and confidential.
A polling station is the place, often a school or community hall, where registered voters go to cast their votes on election day. Staff check each voter's name on the register before issuing a ballot paper.
A constituency is a geographical area whose voters elect one representative, such as a Member of Parliament. The candidate who wins the most votes in that area usually takes the seat and represents the people who live there.
Turnout is the proportion of eligible voters who actually cast a vote in an election, usually shown as a percentage. High turnout suggests strong public interest, while low turnout may indicate apathy or dissatisfaction.
A manifesto is a published document in which a political party sets out the policies and promises it intends to carry out if it wins power. Voters can use it to compare what different parties plan to do.
A referendum is a direct vote in which the whole electorate is asked to decide a single important question, usually by choosing yes or no. It is used for major decisions rather than electing representatives.
A returning officer is the official responsible for running an election in a particular area. They oversee the polling stations, supervise the counting of votes and formally announce the result to make sure the process is fair.
An opinion poll is a survey that asks a sample of people how they intend to vote, in order to predict the likely result of an election. Polls give an estimate but can be wrong, especially when many voters are undecided.
A swing is the change in support for a party between one election and the next, measured as a percentage. A large swing can move many seats from one party to another and may decide who forms the government.