Elections Word Search (Free Printable + Answer Key)

This Elections word search introduces students to the language of American voting and campaigns, including Ballot, Primary, and Electoral. It is a great civics activity, with a free printable worksheet and answer key.

Word List

BALLOT: The paper or electronic form used to record a voter's choices in an election.
CANDIDATE: A person running for elected office, such as president, senator, or mayor.
CAMPAIGN: An organized effort by a candidate to win an election, including ads, speeches, and door-to-door outreach.
PRIMARY: An election in which voters choose which candidate will represent a political party in the general election.
ELECTORAL: Relating to elections. The Electoral College is the system that formally elects the US president.
VOTER: A person who is registered and eligible to cast a ballot in an election.
POLLS: The places where people go to vote, or surveys that measure public opinion before an election.
DEMOCRAT: A member of the Democratic Party, one of the two major political parties in the United States.
REPUBLICAN: A member of the Republican Party, the other major political party in the United States.
INCUMBENT: The person currently holding an elected office, who is often running to keep that office in the next election.

About Elections and Voting

Elections are the foundation of American democracy. Through voting, citizens choose representatives at every level of government, from school board to president. The election process involves political parties, campaigns, primaries, debates, and ultimately ballots cast on Election Day, with results often confirmed weeks later by the Electoral College for presidential races.

Elections and Voting Vocabulary

This puzzle features the language of elections: tools like BALLOT and POLLS; participants like CANDIDATE and VOTER; concepts like PRIMARY, CAMPAIGN, ELECTORAL, DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, and INCUMBENT.

How to Use This Word Search in Class

Hold a mock classroom election after the word search. Students nominate two or three candidates for a small classroom decision (where to take a field trip, what theme for a class party). Run a primary, a short campaign, and a vote, then count ballots together. Tie each step back to the puzzle vocabulary.

Printable Elections and Voting Word Search Worksheet

Click the print button to print this elections and voting word search. The printable version includes the puzzle grid and word list, perfect for classroom handouts or homework.