Understanding American Elections: How Does It Work?

Understanding American Elections: How Does It Work?

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson you will understand the process of American elections and the key elements involved.

What do you already know about American elections?

Slide 1: Overview of American Elections

American elections are held every four years to elect the President and Vice President. The process involves primaries, caucuses, and the electoral college.

Slide 2: Primaries and Caucuses

Primaries and caucuses are the initial stages where political parties select their candidates for the general election. They involve voting and meetings to determine party support.

Slide 3: The General Election

The general election is when voters cast their ballots for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates. It takes place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Slide 4: The Electoral College

The electoral college is a group of electors who officially elect the President and Vice President. Each state has a certain number of electors based on its representation in Congress.

Slide 5: Key Players in American Elections

Key players include candidates, political parties, voters, the media, and election officials. Each plays a crucial role in the election process.

Slide 6: Voter Registration and Eligibility

To participate in the American elections, individuals must register to vote and meet eligibility requirements such as age, citizenship, and residency.

Slide 7: Election Day and Results

Election day is when voters cast their ballots, and the results are tallied. The candidate who receives the majority of electoral votes wins the election.

Slide 8: Interactive Quiz

Engage in an interactive quiz to test your understanding of the American election process. Answer questions about primaries, the electoral college, and key players.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.