U.S. Presidential Election Process from Primaries to Electoral College

The United States Presidential Election Process from the Primaries to the Electoral College is a comprehensive 34-page low-prep teaching resource designed to help shed light on the complex procedure involved in electing a United.States president for our students. The text simplifies each stage of the election process. It explains the constitutional qualifications necessary for the presidency and walks students through the election journey, starting from primaries and caucuses, national conventions, campaigns, popular votes, to the pivotal role of the electoral college. It has been updated to reflect the events of the 2020 Presidential election, including the certification of the Electoral College and the attack on the Capitol on January 6th. Recent events have shown how imperative understanding these democratic procedures really is to our democracy. The content that this resource holds not only unpacks how we arrive at Election Day outcomes but also explores the disruptive events surrounding January 6th during Electoral College certification. This resource provides key points for sparking class discussions concerning democracy and legislation.

The United States Presidential Election Process from the Primaries to the Electoral College includes the following:

• A hyperlinked Table of Contents

• About this Resource which is a handy table listing everything a teacher needs to set up their classroom for this lesson including the google doc link

• A comprehensive lesson plan with standards, objectives, and learning targets

• An Essential Question:

  • How does the United States presidential election process, from primaries to the Electoral College, reflect the principles of democracy and governance?

• 3 Guiding Questions:

  • What role do primary elections play in the selection of presidential candidates, and how do they influence the overall election process?

  • How does the Electoral College system function, and what are its advantages and disadvantages in ensuring fair representation in the presidential election?

  • What factors influence voter turnout and participation in the presidential election process, and how do they impact the outcome of the election?

• The following handouts:

  • What Requirements Should a President Have: Must Haves/Can Haves

  • Text: The Nuts and Bolts of the Presidential Election

  • Notetaker: The Nuts and Bolts of the Presidential Election with Answer Key

  • R.A.C.E.S. writing poster

  • Multiple Choice and Short Answer Questions with Key