Elections

Today’s topic is “near and dear” to the hearts of many economists, and anybody else who takes an interest in the economy. Our topic today is elections. So, let’s get started. Our vocabulary list is a little longer than usual today, so pay close attention. Here goes! Vocabulary Run for office: To seek political power via an election Platform: a political party’s formal written statement of its principles and goals Poll: a survey of people taken to find out which candidate they might vote for Front runner: the political candidate who looks as though he/she is winning Polling station: location where people vote Voting booth: a small enclosure in which a person votes Paper ballot: a piece of paper on which you indicate your choice Cast a ballot: to vote in an election Spoiled ballot: ballot paper that is invalid Voter turnout: percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election Landslide: A victory in which one candidate’s votes far surpass those of other candidates Electoral fraud: illegal interference with the process of an election Alright, now listen for the words in this reading so you can hear how they are used in context. DIALOGUE Economists pay special attention to elections since government policies have a very big impact on the economy. The way elections are held vary from country to country, but they all have several things in common. First, politicians decide to run for office. Maybe they run for mayor or run for a seat in congress or the senate, or maybe they run for president. During the race, politicians make a lot of promises. These promises are part of their so-called “political platform”. Their platform is basically what they represent, and what they promise to do if they get elected.