Welcome Teachers
5
The Electoral Process
Description
Take a peek into the electoral process- from party primaries to the general election. Students will learn the distinctions between the popular vote and the Electoral College, and exercise their critical reasoning skills to analyze the differences between the presidential and congressional elections. Students will also contrast the various nomination processes and learn about the role of party conventions in American politics.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- describe the electoral process in primary and general elections.
- compare the popular vote with the Electoral College as a means to elect government officials.
- explain how a candidate can be elected without receiving the majority of the popular vote.
- contrast primaries and caucuses as ways to nominate someone within a political party.
- explain the role of local, state and national conventions in political parties.
- identify key dates for national elections.
Lesson Prep
Step by Step
DISTRIBUTE reading pages (double-sided ok) to the students.
READ page one with the class.
ASK students to brainstorm the kind of statements a nominee might make in an acceptance speech.
READ page two with the class. (If you have access to any printed campaign materials or political ads, share them with the class.)
IDENTIFY the number of electors your state has by working through the math example on page 2.
DISTRIBUTE the Calendar Activity.
COMPLETE the activity with the class. Check for correct dates.
DISTRIBUTE the review activity page and complete as a class.
INTRODUCE and distribute the two activity pages to the class.
READ and complete each section and discuss.
Recommended Sequence
Before:
© iCivics Inc.
my bad
scratch that Iowa has the caucus
Electoral Process WKS
Iowa holds the first primary, not NH
Electoral Process WKS
Iowa holds the first primary, not NH
Great catch! We will correct
Great catch! We will correct that!
Electoral Process Worksheet
The caption on the picture of the Obamas in the Electoral Process worksheet is incorrectly labeled. The picture is from Obama's speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, not 2008 (note the Kerry/Edwards signs next to the Obama for Senate 2004 signs).