It's that time of year again, with the holidays, politics will be discussed and arguments will ensue. So be prepared with all the lingo and details of a political campaign so you know your stuff.

Plus, it's good to be an active and engaged citizen when it comes to this campaign cycle, cause there's a whole lot of crazy. Here, I will help you with all the jargon, with the help of my favorite government employees, my friends at Pawnee, Indiana's Parks and Recreation Department.

Basic Vocabulary

Super PACs

Standing for Political Action Committee, Super PACs have some major influence on campaigns. They are independent organizations, they cannot directly support or be connected to the actual candidates, but with the unlimited amount of money they get from donations and contributions, they can air ads that are favorable for a candidate or issue or air negative ads against the opponents. They are major players in the game, especially in recent elections, and their money can often influence the race, because money literally makes the world go around.

Electoral College

News Flash:

When you vote for a president, you actually don't...

You actually vote for a president elector.

It's these electors that make up the electoral college, all 538 of them. Your state is assigned a certain number, proportional to the population of the state. Winner-takes-all style, whomever gets the popular vote in your state gets all of those electoral votes in that state. The nominee has to receive at least 270 of these votes to win the election. So, especially in the 2000 election, popular vote doesn't always mean you will win the election, a majority determined in the electoral college determines the winner.

Incumbent

This is the nominee that holds the office at the time of the election. So, that was Obama in 2012, but this election cycle, we have no incumbent, an "open seat," since the constitution says presidents must leave after two terms. The opponent, like Mitt Romney in 2012, is called the challenger, not as cool of a name.

The incumbent will almost alway win reelection, about a 90 percent chance. This is because they have the most name recognition, actual presidential experience, and change is hard for us to grasp.

Capitalism

You probably know the meaning, but I thought I would sneak it in, just because Ron is such a big fan.

This is the United States' economic system, which is the privately owned production and distribution of goods and services that is limitedly regulated by the government and fosters competition.

Stages of the Campaign

Surfacing

This is when you first start hearing about a candidate, learn about their experience, main campaign issues, and campaign style. There will be a kick-off rally where they announce their intention to run. This is where you will see them demonstrate their fitness for office and demonstrate the characteristics that make them the right person for the job, such as leadership, strength, charisma, competence, and sometimes even physical attractiveness.

Primaries

This is one of the first steps of electing a president, along with caucuses. These are run by the state and local governments. Here the front runner of each political party is determined via voting. Each state has a different date for their primaries, and they begin in February and end in early June. They can either be closed primaries, only declared party members can vote, or open primaries, voters can vote for either party. An actual candidate is not voted for, but a preference is determined, as well as voting for delegates that will vote when they and the candidates head to the nominating conventions. This is when we start to see a majority of the lower-tier candidates drop out of the race and return to their daily lives.

Caucuses

An alternative to the primaries, Iowa is famous for these. These are sponsored by the political parties and are held locally, often in community centers or school gymnasiums. These are like town-hall meetings, where only declared party members can participate. Here, the members discuss each candidate and openly vote, by raising hands or organizing into groups, based on which candidate they support. Here they will also determine delegates to send to the nominating convention for the candidate.

Nominating Conventions

After the primaries and caucuses, we head to the party's nominating convention. Because of the primaries and caucuses, a front-runner for each party has already been determined, but for formality sake, here the delegates properly vote on a party nominee. These are held in July and there basically just a big party, all for show. It unites the party under one candidate, introduces the theme of the candidate's campaign, and are heavily covered by the media. There will be American flags, rock and roll music, and the pivotal acceptance speeches, a big-old celebration of American democracy!

"USA.USA.USA!"

General Election

This is where we get the true debates, the speeches, and the advertisements, rather positive or attacking. Here, the candidates will present actual information on their positions and restate the values of their party. This is the direct competition between the Democratic nominee and the Republican nominee. This stage runs from the end of primaries and caucuses, June, to Election Day, in November. Candidates will campaign across the country, focusing on the swing states to gain those electoral college votes.

Election Day

The day this all boils down to. The Tuesday after the first Monday in November, in 2016 it will be Nov. 8. This is when you cast your ballot for the president...for the electoral college.

Register to vote!

Now, you got all the lingo and the context, your college education hasn't gone to waste. Impress your family, leave them wondering: "Who is this informed and intelligent young adult? America isn't going to hell!"