This document provides a lesson plan for teaching high school students about American elections. The objective is for students to learn the history of national elections and how to prepare to vote. The lesson includes activities for students to research past election maps and results, learn about the electoral college system, examine political parties and ideologies, analyze the history of voting rights, and compare 2012 presidential candidates Obama and Romney. Students are encouraged to get engaged with current elections by following candidates and issues.

1. Brittany Machian
Topic: American Elections
Grade Level: 12
Objective:
Learning the history of national elections and preparing to vote in elections (researching
candidates/issues). Build an understanding of how the election process works.
Citizens of the United States! It’s time to learn about the most important way you can
impact your country, your basic right to vote. But it’s more than just filling in a bubble
on a ballot; it’s about understanding the history of this nation’s elections and
understanding how to research and choose the candidates and policies that are right for
YOU. So let’s get started!

2. 1. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/elections.php
Find the 2008 election map and color in each state’s results using red and blue (red-
republican, blue-democrat).
Investigate another election map from any year. Year: ________
What is the difference between this color map and the one from 2008?
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______.
Based on your prior knowledge of the time period you chose, what do you think the role
of individual candidates and/or historical events have on this election?
________________________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________.

3. Now that we’ve looked at some elections, let’s look at how the election process really works.
Ever heard of the Electoral College? Well those are actually the votes that decide the nation’s
next president, not the popular votes cast by each individual. So how does the Electoral College
work?
2. http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/about.html
Read some information about the Electoral College and answer the following questions.
a) How many electors are members of the Electoral College?
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b) What majority does a candidate need to win a national election?
____________________________________________________
c) What is the Electoral College policy for the District of Colombia (Washington D.C.)?
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_______________.
Electoral colleges, election maps, it’s a lot to consider when learning about the history of
American elections. But what is one of the biggest factors in not only elections but all of
politics? The political party. Two main political parties govern the laws of the United States,
but what about the smaller parties? Who makes them up and what are their beliefs?
3. http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm
a) What are three factions of the Democratic Party?
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b) What are three factions of the Republican Party?
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c) Pick one of the big 3 third parties and list three beliefs. Party:_________________
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d) Pick one of the smaller third parties and list three beliefs. Party:________________
_______________________________
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e) Draw a symbol representing one of the political parties that you have described.

4. Now that we have some background, let’s look at voting and how you as citizens can
become involved.
4. http://democracyday.com/history-of-voting-video.html
Watch the video above and answer the following questions.
a) Do you think this video is engaging to young voters? Why or why not?
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b) Initially who was allowed to vote?
________________________________________________________________.
c) What two requirements were generated after the Civil War to try and keep
African-Americans from voting?
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d) What year did women gain the right to vote? _____________________

5. e) What 7 issues does the video say young people can impact by voting?
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f) Are there any other issues you can think of that might be relevant to young
voters? List 2.
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We now know some of the basics of the history of elections and the importance of
voting. So now, let’s apply this to a real election and see how any voter, no matter
their age, can make a difference.
5. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/2012_election.php
Look at the 2012 election candidates. Pick a candidate from this election (candidates
who have already withdrawn are also acceptable).
__________________________________________________________________
Find a campaign speech for that candidate that outlines at least 3 major
platforms/beliefs for the candidate and list them.
_______________________________________________________________
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And the candidates have been chosen! This election is a contest between President
Barack Obama and his challenger Mitt Romney. They both have plans for “fixing” the country
but very different ideas on how to do this. Let’s compare and contrast.
6. http://www.mittromney.com/jobsplan
One of the biggest issues facing the nation today is the economic situation and how to
fix it. Both candidates have their economic solutions so let’s take a look.
a) What is Mitt Romney’s 5 part proposal to fix the American economy?
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6. 7. http://www.barackobama.com/economy?source=primary-nav
a) What two things does Barack Obama claim to have improved during his time as
president?
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b) What 4 “forward thinking” ideas does the Obama campaign promote?
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Write a short paragraph comparing the policies of Barack Obama and Mitt
Romney or their campaign tactics. Who is more persuasive in your
opinion and why?
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7. From national election to state election, here is what is up for vote in Utah.
8. http://vote.utah.gov/on-my-ballot/issues-propositions/
What two constitutional amendments are Utahans considering in this election?
________________________________________________________
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So all this information is great. But kind of boring right? So no wonder
young people often do not exercise the right to vote. Information seems
inaccessible and difficult to read through. But some sights are taking action
and trying to drawn young American’s into voting.
9. http://www.rockthevote.com/
a) How do you think rock the vote appeals to young people?
__________________________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________________.
b) Do you think this is more effective than the vote.utah website specifically in
regard to a younger audience? Why or why not?
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_.
c) List three tactics that the site uses to generate appeal for young voters.
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Now it’s your turn. You are young, empowered, and ready to use your
voice and vote in the next election. You know the history, you know the
parties and the way the voting process works. So what’s left?

8. 10. http://fantasyelection.mtv.com/candidates
Pick an election team to monitor until the election. Take into account what kinds of
things impact a candidate’s score. Use the tactics you have learned to research
candidates and their platforms in your decision. Pick one candidate to share some
information on with the class.

9. Webquest Answer Sheet
1. All answers will vary depending on student choice. Discuss some in class.
2. a) 538
b) a majority of 270
c) Under the 23rd Amendment of the Constitution, the District of Colombia is
allowed electors and treated like a state for the purpose of the electoral college.
3. a) Options for answer: democratic-socialist left, traditional liberals, center-right,
GOP conservative right, “centrist”
b) Options for answer: traditional conservatives, the religious right,
centrist/moderate wing, libertarians, paleo-conservative wing, tea party
c) answer will vary depending on the choice of the student
d) answer will vary depending on the choice of the student
e) drawings to be displayed and discussed in class.
4. A) answer will vary by student opinion
B) white, male, property owners
C) Literacy tests and poll taxes
D) 1920
E) The Vietnam War
F) going to war, how money should be spent, energy sources, marriage laws,
abortion, gun laws, legalization. The final two are up to the student
5. The questions for this site will depend on student choice of candidate and speech.
Have some results discussed in class.
6. Achiever energy independence by 2020, trade that works for America, provide
better skills to succeed through better education and skills programs, cut the
deficit by reducing the size of the government, champion small businesses.
7. A) 31 consecutive months of growth and 5.2 million new private sector jobs.
B) rescuing the auto industry, reviving U.S. manufacturing, bringing business
back to American, making sure everyone plays by the same rules
C) paragraph answer will vary, ask students to share
8. Constitutional amendment A that calls for putting more money in the state trust
fund and Constitutional amendment B that changes property taxes for certain
individuals.
9. Answers will vary by student opinion and choice.
10. Answers will vary by student choice but will provide opportunity for small group
and then larger class discussion.