B

ballot paper – a printed list of all the candidates. Voters then mark the paper with an ‘X’ to choose who they vote for, before putting it in the sealed ballot box.

C

candidate – a person that voters can choose to vote for in an election. They are normally chosen to stand by the political party they represent.

constituency – Each part of the country where the population chooses someone to represent them in Parliament.

D

democracy – people choose who is in charge of their country by voting in a general election, like in the UK.

demographic – the qualities of a specific group of people (such as ages, race, gender, income etc).

devolution – when some power is transferred from central Government (in Westminster) to specific regions, like the Scottish Parliament.

E

elect – when you choose someone to represent you by voting for them.

election – the way in which people are chosen to represent others, say in Parliament.

M

majority – when one political party has more MPs than all of the other parties put together.

manifesto – a list of aims and objectives outlining what a person or political party intends to do if they win an election.

P

Parliament – the place where the country’s laws and policies are discussed and agreed.

policy – a plan or idea that is used to achieve a certain result.

polling station – a building, like a school or community centre, where voting takes place during an election.

S

spoilt ballot – when you ruin your vote, either on purpose, or by accident.

T

turnout – the percentage of people who cast their vote in an election.