The document provides instructions and materials for a classroom lesson on the US election process. It includes directions for students to write party platforms, participate in a mock primary election, national convention, and general election. It also explains the roles and process for the electoral college in determining the winner. The lesson culminates in the announcement of election winners and an inauguration speech.

1. When you walk in…
Grab your notebook and get ready for
your bellringer.
If you have been absent, check the
absent files for your work.
Have your pencil/pen/highlighter
ready. If you need to borrow one, you
must leave your ID!

2. Bellringer 10/29/14
1. Recall: What are the differences between
open, closed, and runoff primaries?
2. What do you think presidential candidates
consider when choosing their vice president?
You must write in complete sentences!

3. The Election Process
State Elections
Caucus
Primaries
Remember to fill in
your graphic
organizers as we
go along!

4. Why are platforms so difficult to make?
They tell voters what candidates stand for; candidates risk
losing voters by saying the wrong thing
“We believe that there should be a Constitutional
Amendment defining marriage as the union of one man
and one woman.” – Republican Party Platform, 2012

5. Turn and Talk
When the timer begins, turn to the person to your left and
discuss: If you were running for President, what issues would you
discuss in your party platform? Record your ideas in your
notebooks to get credit. You have 60 seconds!
Turn and Talk
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6. National Convention
Each party chooses its official nominee for
President; Vice Presidential candidates chosen

7. The Election Process
State Elections
Caucus
Primaries
National
Convention

8. Choosing the Vice Presidential Candidate
Vice President will take over if something
happens to the President
can use Vice President to appeal to other voters

9. 2012 Election Ticket
Democrat Republican
President
Vice-President
Barack Obama Mitt Romney
Joe Biden Paul Ryan
Look at the similarities and differences between
these candidates. Why do you think the vice
presidential candidates were chosen?

10. The Election Process
State Elections
Caucus
Primaries
National
Convention
Ticket Chosen

11. What methods do candidates use to campaign?
Propaganda, debates, mass media (TV, film, radio,
Internet, newspapers, billboards, posters, flyers, etc.)

12. Analyze: Political Campaigns

13. Analyze: Political Campaigns
Obama “Yes We Can” Speech
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=HoFqV3qVMGA
Kennedy/Nixon Debate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=zRMQUcesWUc
Wendy Davis Political Ad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=N_qHkk0Oy6I

14. How are campaigns funded?
PACs, public funding, and private donations
limit to all forms of funding

15. The Election Process
State Elections
Caucus
Primaries
National
Convention
Ticket Chosen
Campaigns
Debates

16. The Electoral College
1 2 3 4
Qualified
citizens vote
Electors
“pinky swear”
Electors vote in
state election
Winners
announced

17. The Electoral College
Pros
Easier and faster than a
direct vote
Principle of representation
Cons
Difficult to get third parties
elected
“Faithless” electors
May not be accurate
What do you think are some pros and cons of the
Electoral College? Can you think of any other
systems we could use?

18. Winners Announced
FOUR FOR YOU, BARACK OBAMA.
YOU GO BARACK OBAMA!

19. The Election Process
State Elections
Caucus
Primaries
National
Convention
Ticket Chosen
Campaigns
Debates
Ballots
Cast
Electoral
College
Winners
Announced
Inauguration

20. Qualifications to Vote
Citizen of the
United States
18 or older
Mentally
stable
No felonies
Why would these
be our four
qualifications?

21. Checkpoint
What are the 4 major
qualifications to vote?

22. Registering to Vote
Why: To stop voting fraud (voting more than once)
To “clean up” elections
Requirements: Different based on state
Louisiana: mail, in person, online

23. Where do I vote?
Polling place in your precinct; often at schools

24. How do I vote?
Usually in a voting booth; sometimes absentee ballot

25. Types of Ballots
Office-Group Ballot
Party-Column Ballot
Absentee Ballot
Candidates grouped
together by office (EX:
president, vice president)
Candidates grouped
together by party (EX:
Democrats, Republicans)
either office-group or party-
column; before election day

26. Does my vote matter?
• Usually does; often in close races
• Many elections have been won or lost based on only
a few votes!

27. Political Efficacy
Belief that your vote actually matters

28. Checkpoint
What is political
efficacy? Do you think
you have it? Why or
why not?

29. Profile of Regular Voters
Educated Older Higher income Families
Why do you think
people with these
characteristics tend to
vote more?

30. What stops people from voting?
• Too busy
• Bad timing (election day on Tuesdays)
• No transportation
• Don’t care

31. How many people actually end up voting?
Today, a little more than half of the population

32. Turn and Talk
When the timer begins, turn to the person to your right
and discuss: How do you think we can get more people
to vote in the U.S.? You have 60 seconds!
Turn and Talk
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33. How can we increase voter turnout?
• Change election day from Tuesday to Sunday
• Universal voter registration
• Provide transportation
• Online voting

34. ELECTION TIME!
1. Have your party stickers on! If you don’t
have yours, there are extras on the table.
2. Have your voter registration cards ready! If
you can’t find yours, there are extras on the
table.
3. If you are running for president, sit in one of
the desks at the front of the room!
4. I need 6 volunteers to be in the Electoral
College. You’re the ones that will pinky
swear!

35. The Election Process
State Elections
Caucus
Primaries
National
Convention
Ticket Chosen
Campaigns
Debates
Ballots
Cast
Electoral
College
Winners
Announced
Inauguration

36. Party Platforms
First, it’s time to make your party platforms. Keep
it short and sweet; use bullet points if you want.
You can cover major issues like gun control, or
school/classroom type issues, or both!
You’ll need to get with your other party
members to make your party platform. This
does not include electors. If you’re an elector,
come see me in the front to discuss your job.
When you finish writing your party platforms,
bring them to me so that I can put them on
the PowerPoint. You only have ten minutes to
write them!

37. Primary Election
Candidate: Chris
Party: Republican
Candidate: Kimberly
Party: Independent (Moderate)
Candidate: Torrey
Party: Independent (Moderate)
Candidate: Tyran
Party: Independent (Moderate)
Candidate: Kelly
Party: Democrat
Candidate: Demond
Party: Independent (Moderate)
Ballot: Primary Election
Time to vote in the primary!
Check the box for the
candidate you want to see
as President. Do not write
your name on the ballot!
When you’ve finished, fold
your ballot in half and put it
in the box in the front of the
room.

38. Candidates for the Presidency
Democrat Republican Independent
* Pictures of student candidates have
been removed for privacy. *

39. National Convention
Presidential candidates, it’s time to choose your
Vice Presidential candidates! Remember what
you’re supposed to consider when choosing the
Vice Presidential candidate.
If you are not one of the candidates or being
chosen as Vice President, use this time to discuss
the issues and who you want to vote for with
your fellow classmates.
Presidential candidates, you have 5 mintues to
choose who will be on the ticket with you!

40. Tickets Chosen
Democrat Republican Independent
* Pictures of student candidates have
been removed for privacy. *

41. Campaigns
Time to campaign! You can walk around the
room and try to convince people to vote for
you. Remember, propaganda is perfectly legal!
I’ll be walking around to see what you’re doing.

42. Election Day: Ballots Cast
Ballot: General Election
Presidential Candidate:
Vice Presidential Candidate:
Presidential Candidate:
Vice Presidential Candidate:
Presidential Candidate:
Vice Presidential Candidate:
Time to vote in the general
election! Choose one ticket
to vote for. Do not write your
name on the ballot! When
you’ve finished, fold your
ballot in half and put it in the
box in the front of the room.
Electors, come meet me up at the front! You’ll
be doing your pinky swearing soon.

43. Election Day: Electoral College
Electors, it’s time to vote on behalf of your
constituents! Come to the front of the room to
place your votes.

44. Winners Announced
The President and Vice President of
Room 212 are…
* Pictures of student candidates have
been removed for privacy. *

45. Inauguration
SPEECH! SPEEEEECH!

46. Advanced: (2 Paragraphs, at least 5 Sentences each)
1. Which party do you think you belong to? How do you know?
2. What does your political party believe in? Does it match with
your beliefs? Explain.
3. Do you think that your political party has been successful in its
goals in the past? Why do you think it has/has not?
Mastery: (3 paragraphs, at least 5 Sentences each)
1. Which party do you think you belong to? How do you know?
2. What does your political party believe in? Does it match with
your beliefs? Explain.
3. Do you think that your political party has been successful in its
goals in the past? Why do you think it has/has not?
4. If you could change anything in your party’s platform, what
would it be? Why? Give at least two specific examples.
Exit Ticket: Response 10/27/14