Civic Engagement Vocabulary

noun a form or system of rule by which a state, community, etc., is governed

adjective relating to or concerning government or a government

• The governmental agency is responsible for regulating the financial sector.
• The governmental department is in charge of issuing permits for construction projects.
• I heard the governmental body is cracking down on illegal parking in the city.
• The governmental hand may be slow to act, but it is always watching over us.

adjective not biased or partisan; impartial

• The organization is committed to providing nonpartisan analysis of public policy issues.
• The group aims to stay neutral and nonpartisan in their research.
• We gotta keep it nonpartisan, no bias allowed.
• Her nonpartisan approach to decision-making is like a breath of fresh air in a world full of political agendas.

noun a formal indication of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action, expressed typically through a ballot or a show of hands

verb to express a formal indication of a choice or opinion

• Citizens have the right to vote in the upcoming election.
• Hey, don't forget to vote in the school council elections!
• Let's all go out and cast our vote for the best candidate!
• Every purchase you make is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.

noun a person who is eligible to vote but is unable to do so in person and therefore votes by mail or proxy

• The absentee voter requested a mail-in ballot for the upcoming election.
• My cousin is an absentee voter because he's away at college.
• I never realized I was an absentee voter until I moved out of state.
• Being an absentee voter in the office means missing out on important decisions.