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iCivics Curriculum Unit

Elections and Voting

This unit is designed to provide students with an introduction to the electoral processes of the American political system. Students will develop a strong foundation that will inform them of their choices and encourage civic involvement. The Elections and Voting unit guides students to a deep understanding of concepts and processes across the political spectrum through simulations, presentations, vocabulary-building activities, and a mock election.

Topics at a Glance: state voting laws | youth voting guide | running for president | political parties | political spectrum | political candidates | voting rights | voting history | electoral process | campaigning | political campaigns | incumbency | primaries | caucuses | conventions | public opinion polling | apportionment | ranked-choice voting | mail-in voting | peaceful transfer of power

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  • Lesson Plan

    Win the White House Extension Pack

    Make your students’ game play more meaningful by using our activity and assessment set designed specifically for Win the White House. This easy-to-use Extension Pack helps you give context and purpose to the game, as well as reinforce and assess the game concepts.Win the White House and its Extension Pack are correlated according to WIDA's methodology using the WIDA PRIME V2 Inventory. To see how these materials best meet your ELL students' needs, click here. (Note: PRIME stands for Protocol for Review of Instructional Materials for ELLs.) 
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  • Lesson Plan

    Election Results Tracker

    Our Election Results Tracker activity helps students monitor the election results with a map and Electoral College vote counter.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
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  • Lesson Plan

    Political Debate Guide

    Use this activity to help your students view any political debate — local to national, historical to live broadcast. Preview candidates, issues, expectations, and details about the location and moderators. Track what the candidates say and how they say it. Then ask students to reflect on the debate experience. Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!Love this lesson? Explore all of our free election curriculum and teaching resources at our Election Headquarters.
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  • Lesson Plan

    Got Ballot?

    Covering everything from referendums to recalls, this lesson takes students to the voting booth and explains what is on a ballot. Students will discover how voters have the opportunity to initiate change in state and local government. Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
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  • Lesson Plan

    One Big Party?

    In One Big Party, students learn about the role of political parties in the United States and the influence parties have in our political system, including the role of third parties. This lesson does not cover political party ideologies.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below! Or use our Google Slide and Pear Deck activities!
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  • Game

    Win the White House

    Run your own presidential campaign!
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  • Lesson Plan

    Candidate Evaluation

    In this lesson, students evaluate hypothetical candidates by establishing and applying their own criteria for selecting public officials. Through a variety of activities, students assess political candidates based on their qualifications, experience, campaign speeches and campaign materials.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's materials below!
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  • Lesson Plan

    Mock Election

    In this three-day mock election role-play lesson, students explain the steps taken from party formation to national election. Harnessing skills gained from the Electoral Process lesson, students will act out the campaigning and voting process by simulating a real election in their own classroom.Love this lesson? Explore all of our free election curriculum and teaching resources at our Election Headquarters. 
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  • Lesson Plan

    The Electoral Process

    Take a peek into the electoral process with this lesson - 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.Got a 1:1 classroom? Download fillable PDF versions of this lesson's activities below!Love this lesson? Explore all of our free election curriculum…
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See how it all fits together!

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