presidential election

Without fail, campaign financing inevitably becomes a hot topic in the months leading up to a presidential election, but many of the vocabulary and laws that get thrown around sound more like a foreign language than the American political process. We've translated a few of the more common terms you'll hear in relation to this topic, so bone up on your campaign financing know-how before the presidential debates kick off next month.

Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA): A law passed in 1971 that governs the financing of federal elections and requires candidates and political committees to disclose funding sources and spending practices. Additionally, it applies regulations to campaign contributions and spending during federal elections, and it polices the use of public funds in presidential elections.

Federal Election Commission (FEC): Established by a 1974 amendment of FECA, the FEC is an independent regulatory agency that enforces federal campaign finance laws.

Buckley v. Valeo: In 1976, the Supreme Court upheld the Federal Election Campaign Act's requirements of financial disclosure, contribution limits, and the provision for public funding of presidential election campaigns in the case Buckley v. Valeo. However, it struck down spending limits for candidates not receiving public funds (such as congressional candidates) and for independent groups who do not campaign for or against a candidate. Finally, the ruling stated that candidates who do not accept public money need not limit spending from personal funds.

For several more terms, just keep reading.

If you went to school in the US, you've undoubtedly learned the ins and outs of our government and electoral process — perhaps more than once. But if you're like me, and yesterday's lessons are fleeting like favorable satisfaction polls, you may need to brush up on some important political lingo. Here are some election-related terms you might want to know before you complete your ballot in November.

Caucus: A meeting at the local level in which members of a political party in that area discuss the support of a candidate. During the presidential election, the parties will round up the caucus recommendations to determine each state's nominee. A caucus can also consist of party members — the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, for example — who join together to advance their interests.

Convention bounce: A sharp increase in a presidential candidate's popularity in the days immediately following the party's national convention, which secures the party's nomination.

Divided government: A situation that occurs when at least one chamber of Congress (the House of Representatives or Senate or both) is controlled by the party opposite the sitting president's.

Electoral base: The groups of people who will normally vote for a candidate often out of party loyalty or because of shared gender, ethnicity, religion, geography, ideology, or other variables.

For six more important election terms, just keep reading.