Voter Education Glossary
Understanding Louisville Metro Government & Policy
This comprehensive glossary explains 375 terms related to Louisville Metro government, policy, and civic engagement. Each term includes Louisville-specific context and explains why it matters to you as a voter.
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Violence Interrupters
Trained community members – often with lived experience of violence or incarceration – who mediate conflicts, interrupt retaliation cycles, and […]
Read Full Definition → Violence Prevention Programs
Comprehensive approach including street outreach, conflict mediation, trauma support, and community engagement. Addresses root causes of violence through trusted community […]
Read Full Definition → Vision Care Access
Ability to obtain eye examinations, prescription glasses, and treatment for eye conditions. Vision care is often separate from medical insurance […]
Read Full Definition → Vision Zero
Traffic safety philosophy that traffic deaths are preventable, not inevitable, and commits to eliminating all traffic fatalities through street design, […]
Read Full Definition → Vote by Mail
An election system where all voters automatically receive ballots by mail without needing an excuse. Kentucky does NOT have vote-by-mail; […]
Read Full Definition → Voter ID Laws
Requirements that voters show identification before casting a ballot. Kentucky requires photo ID (driver’s license, passport, military ID, etc.) or […]
Read Full Definition → Voter Registration
The process of officially signing up to vote by providing your name, address, and eligibility information to election officials. In […]
Read Full Definition → Voter Suppression
Tactics or policies that make it harder for eligible citizens to register or vote, often disproportionately affecting minority, low-income, elderly, […]
Read Full Definition → Voter Turnout
The percentage of registered voters who actually cast ballots in an election. Louisville typically sees 15-25% turnout in mayoral primaries […]
Read Full Definition → W
Walkability
How safe, comfortable, and convenient an area is for walking. Depends on: sidewalks, crosswalks, street design, density, mixed uses, safety, […]
Read Full Definition → Water Consumption (Data Centers)
The amount of water data centers use for cooling systems, typically 3-5 million gallons per day for a large facility—equivalent […]
Read Full Definition → Water Quality
The chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water that determine whether it’s safe for drinking, recreation, and supporting aquatic life. […]
Read Full Definition → Weatherization
Home improvements that reduce energy consumption and costs by sealing air leaks, adding insulation, upgrading windows, and improving heating/cooling efficiency. […]
Read Full Definition → Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
A federal nutrition program providing supplemental foods, nutrition education, and healthcare referrals to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and children […]
Read Full Definition → Worker Bill of Rights
A comprehensive set of workplace protections and standards that apply to ALL workers in Louisville, not just government employees. Establishes […]
Read Full Definition → Worker Cooperative
Businesses owned and democratically controlled by their workers, with each worker having one vote regardless of capital contribution. Worker cooperatives […]
Read Full Definition → Workforce Development
Programs that train workers for in-demand jobs through apprenticeships, vocational training, job placement services, and skills certification. Connects unemployed or […]
Read Full Definition → Working Families Integration
Dave’s coordinated approach linking pre-K, year-round schooling, after-school programs, and intersession care to provide continuous support for working parents. Combined, […]
Read Full Definition → Workplace Flexibility
Employment practices allowing workers to adjust when, where, and how they work. Includes remote work, flexible hours, and compressed workweeks. […]
Read Full Definition → Workplace Protections
Employee rights including fair treatment, due process, protection from discrimination, safe working conditions, and clear grievance procedures. Dave’s Employee Bill […]
Read Full Definition → Write-In Candidate
A candidate whose name doesn’t appear on the printed ballot, so voters must manually write in their name to vote […]
Read Full Definition → Y
Youth Development Programs
Consolidated programs including after-school activities (3-7pm – peak crime hours), summer jobs (3,000 positions), mentoring, life skills training, gang intervention, […]
Read Full Definition → Youth Employment Programs
Government-funded summer jobs, year-round work opportunities, and job training for teenagers and young adults, especially those from high-poverty neighborhoods most […]
Read Full Definition → Youth Sports Programs
Organized athletic activities for children and teens including basketball, baseball, soccer, swimming, track, and other sports. Youth sports provide exercise, […]
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