Electoral College: A body officially responsible for electing the president of the United States. In presidential elections, the candidate who receives the most popular votes in a particular state wins all of that state's electoral votes. Votes are distributed among states in ratios based on population. A candidate must win a majority of electoral votes (over fifty percent) in order to win the presidency.

Ethnic cleansing: Actions intended to rid an area of a particular ethnic group either through deportation, intimidation, or acts of genocide (mass murder).

Federal deficit: When government spending exceeds income (from taxes and other revenue).

Grand jury: A group empowered to decide whether a government investigation can provide enough evidence to make criminal charges against a citizen.

Impeachment: A legislative proceeding charging a public official with misconduct. Impeachment consists of the formal accusation of such an official and the trial...