Primary elections

State-level elections where registered voters or voters affiliated to a party (depending on the states) vote for delegates who determine their presidential candidates for the general election

National Convention

A meeting of a major political party, especially one that nominates a candidate for the presidency

General election

The election of representatives to a legislature. In the USA, during a presidential election, American voters indirectly vote for their presidents, but also for their senators for instance

Election Day

The day when voters across the U.S. cast their ballots for presidential electors, typically the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November

Swing States

States where the outcome of the election is uncertain and could be won by either the Democratic or Republican candidate. It’s where the candidates need to campaign the hardest

Winner-Takes-All Rule

(Also called “first past the post system”): A system where the candidate who receives the largest number of votes in a state wins all that state's electoral votes. This denies representation to minority parties then.

Electoral College

A body of electors (538) who represent the American states and are chosen to vote for the president and vice president, about 40 days after Election day. Electors are state officials ( governors, state secretaries), or state leader parties or people affiliated to a particular party for instance

Inauguration Day

The day on which the newly president and vice president are sworn into office, typically January 20th following the election.

Gerrymandering

The process of redrawing district lines to give an advantage to one party over another