Glossary

Civic terms in plain language

Use the glossary when a government term is unfamiliar, technical, or easy to misread in the middle of a page.

Definitions should reduce confusion, not overclaim certainty. When a term has nuance, the app should keep that nuance visible.

Reference

Terms worth knowing before you go deeper

A bill is a proposed law that has not yet been enacted.

A law is a rule enacted by a government and backed by legal authority.

An ordinance is a law or rule passed by a local government such as a city or county.

An amendment is a formal change to a bill, law, or constitution.

A veto is the formal rejection of a bill by an executive such as a president or governor.

An executive order is a written directive issued by an executive official to manage government operations within legal limits.

A committee is a smaller group within a legislative body that studies issues, holds hearings, and reviews bills.

A district is a geographic area used to assign representation, services, or elections.

A primary election is a contest used to choose party nominees before a general election.

A general election is the main election in which voters choose among final candidates for office.

A county is a regional local government unit that often sits between state government and city or town government.

A municipality is a city, town, or similar local government entity.

A state legislature is the lawmaking body of a state, usually made up of a senate and a house or assembly.

An appropriation is government authorization to spend money for a specific purpose.

A budget deficit happens when a government spends more money than it brings in during a period of time.

Public debt is the total borrowed money a government still owes.

A tax levy is the formal imposition or collection of a tax by a government.

A bond is borrowed money raised by a government that is repaid over time with interest.

Judicial retention is an election in which voters decide whether a judge should stay in office.