Civic Education Glossary

Government can be full of confusing words, but understanding them is the first step to making your voice heard. This glossary breaks down key civic and voting terms in simple language, so you can better understand your rights, how Pennsylvania's government works, and how to participate in your democracy.

Advocacy

Speaking up for a cause or issue you care about. People can advocate by sharing ideas, talking to leaders, writing letters, or working with others to make a difference.

Attorney General

Pennsylvania’s “top lawyer”. This office helps enforce state laws, protects consumers, and represents the Commonwealth in legal cases.

Auditor General

The Auditor General checks how public money is spent to help make sure it is used honestly and responsibly.

Ballot

A physical paper or electronic form used to cast votes in an election. 

Ballot Question

A question on your voting ballot that asks voters to decide “yes” or “no” on a law, amendment, or local issue instead of choosing a candidate.

Borough

A type of town in Pennsylvania with its own local government.

Candidate

A person running in an election for a government office position, such as for mayor, governor, or president.

Census

A count of everyone living in a state or country. For the U.S. and Pennsylvania, the Census has to happen, by law, every 10 years.

Citizen

A person who legally belongs to a country by birth or naturalization and has legally recognized rights and duties as a member of that entity. U.S. citizens who meet the voting requirements can register to vote.

City Council

A group of elected leaders who make decisions about city services, budgets, and local laws.

Civic Education

Learning how government works, what rights, freedoms, and responsibilities people have, and how to participate in democracy.

Civic Engagement

Taking part in your community. This can include voting, volunteering, attending public meetings, or protesting.

Closed Primary Election

Pennsylvania has a closed primary election every May. This means only voters registered as a Democrat or Republican can vote for their party’s candidates in a primary election.

Community

A group of people who live, work, learn, or spend time together.

Community Organizing

When a group of people work together to solve problems or improve their neighborhood.

Commonwealth Court

The court within Pennsylvania’s judicial branch of government that hears cases involving Pennsylvania state government, state agencies, and some election-related issues.

Constitution

The highest law of the United States. Pennsylvania also has its own state constitution.

County Commissioner

An elected leader who helps make decisions about county services like elections, parks, and public health.

County Elections Office

Every Pennsylvania county has an Elections Office that helps run elections, registers voters, prepares ballots, and counts votes.

Court of Common Pleas

The main trial court in each Pennsylvania county. It hears criminal, civil, family, and other cases.

Democracy

A system of government where people help make decisions by voting for leaders and participating in their communities.

District Attorney

The elected lawyer who prosecutes people accused of breaking the law in a county.

Election

The selection of a person or persons for office by vote.

Election Day

The day people vote in person at polling places. In Pennsylvania, elections are usually held on Tuesdays.

Election Official

An election official helps make sure elections are fair, secure, and run smoothly.

Electoral College

The system used to elect the President of the United States. Each state receives a certain number of electoral votes based on its representation in Congress.

Eligible Voter

Someone who meets the legal requirements to vote.

Executive Branch

Carries out and enforces laws. In Pennsylvania, the Governor leads the Executive Branch.

Fiscal Year

A twelve-month period for which an organization, such as a government or corporation, plans the use of its funds.

General Assembly

The legislature consisting of State House Representatives and State Senators.

General Election

An election when voters choose who will hold public office that usually takes place in November, after the primary election.

Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering is when voting district boundaries are drawn to give one political party or group an advantage.

Government

A group of people and organizations that make laws, provide public services, and help communities.

Governor

The Governor is Pennsylvania’s highest elected state leader. The Governor helps carry out state laws and leads the Executive Branch.

Independent Voter

Someone who is not registered with a political party. In Pennsylvania, independent voters cannot vote for party candidates in primary elections.

Judge

Someone who makes decisions in court by applying the law fairly. Pennsylvania voters elect many judges.

Judicial Branch

The Judicial Branch interprets laws and decides court cases.

Law

A rule that everyone must follow.

Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch writes, debates, and votes on laws.

Legislator

 An elected or appointed official who belongs to a legislative body (such as a parliament, congress, or state assembly) and is primarily responsible for crafting, debating, and passing laws.

Legislature

The group of elected people who make laws. In Pennsylvania, it is called the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Lieutenant Governor

An elected official that helps the Governor and serves as President of the Pennsylvania Senate.

Mail Ballot

A paper ballot that lets voters cast their vote by mail instead of voting in person.

Mayor

The elected leader of a city or town.

Nonpartisan

Nonpartisan means not supporting or opposing any political party.

Pennsylvania General Assembly

The state’s legislature. It includes the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court

The highest court in the state. It has the final say on many questions about Pennsylvania law and the state Constitution.

Political Party

A group of people with similar ideas about government who work together to elect candidates.

Poll Worker

A trained community member who helps voters at polling places on Election Day.

Polling Place

Where people vote in person on Election Day.

Primary Election

A primary election is held before the general election. Political parties choose the candidates who will represent them in the general election.

Budget

A plan for how the government collects and spends money.

Public Hearing

A meeting where people can share ideas before government leaders make a decision about an issue or law.

Public Policy

A plan or decision made by government to solve problems or improve communities.

Public Record

A public record is information or a document created by the government that people may be allowed to see.

Redistricting

The process of drawing new voting district boundaries after each Census.

Referendum

A question on a ballot that lets voters decide directly on a law or public issue. 

Representative

Someone elected to speak and make decisions for the people who voted for them.

Rights

Rights are freedoms and protections people have under the law.

School Board

A group of elected community members who make decisions about local public schools.

Secretary of the Commonwealth

A government official that oversees Pennsylvania’s elections and helps make sure election laws are followed. This position is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate. 

State Representative

An elected official who represents the people in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and helps make state laws.

State Senator

An elected official who represents people in Pennsylvania in the Pennsylvania Senate and helps to make state laws.

Superior Court

A court in Pennsylvania's Judicial Branch that reviews appeals in many criminal and civil cases. It checks whether lower courts followed the law correctly. 

Taxes

Money that people and businesses pay to help fund schools, roads, parks, libraries, emergency services, and other public programs.

Township

A type of local government that provides services like road maintenance, parks, and public safety.

Treasurer

An elected official who manages Pennsylvania's money. The Treasurer helps protect taxpayer dollars, oversees state investments, and manages programs like college savings accounts and unclaimed property. 

Vote

A formal expression of choice made by an individual or body of individuals, especially in an election

Voter Registration

The process of signing up to vote before you officially vote.