Primaries, Caucuses, & National Conventions PDF

Page 11 Primaries, Caucuses, & National Conventions When the election season starts, many people hope to be their party’s presidential candidate. But only one person can be chosen to represent each political party! How do we figure out who those people will be? First, every state either holds a...

Page 11 Primaries, Caucuses, & National Conventions When the election season starts, many people hope to be their party’s presidential candidate. But only one person can be chosen to represent each political party! How do we figure out who those people will be? First, every state either holds a or a. Most states use primary elections, but some, like Iowa, use caucuses. Sometimes, a state might change how it does it from one election to the next. In a voters in the party cast their vote on a secret ballot for the person they want to be the party’s candidate. The candidate with the most votes wins that state. In a , instead of voting immediately, party members meet, talk about the candidates, and then vote together to pick a candidate for their state. Even though these two ways of voting differ, they both help decide how many (or votes) each candidate gets. After all the primaries and caucuses, each political party holds a big event called a. This is where the party officially picks its presidential candidate based on the results. The presidential candidate also announces who they want as their vice president. Once the candidates are chosen, they travel the country to gain support. They give speeches, meet with voters, and take part in debates on TV to share their ideas. This helps voters decide who to support in the final election. People go to polling locations to vote in primary elections. ©2024 The Clever Teacher  Page 12 What is a Presidential Debate? During United States presidential elections, it’s common for the candidates to have one or more debates. A is a discussion where presidential candidates talk about their plans and ideas for the country. They answer questions about the most controversial and important issues of the time. 1960 presidential debate between John F. Kennedy (on the left) and Richard Nixon (on the right). The purpose of the presidential debate is to help people learn more about each candidate and their plans for the country. Debates can influence people who are not sure who to vote for. Debates are usually held close to the election (in October). They have been broadcast live on television, radio, and in recent years on the web. © 2024 The Clever Teacher  Page 15 General Elections What is a General Election? Every four years, people in the U.S. vote for a new president and vice president in a general election. This happens on the first Tuesday in November. In this election, citizens can vote for any candidate, no matter what political party they belong to. What is the Popular Vote? The popular vote is the total number of votes cast by citizens. In a presidential election, it helps decide the winner in each state, but the final decision is made by the Electoral College. Methods of Voting In a U.S. general election, there are several methods of voting. Each state has its own rules for voting, and not all methods are available in every state. In-Person Voting: Early Voting: Absentee Voting: Mail-In Voting: On Election Day, voters In many states, Voters who can’t go In some states, all go to a polling station. voters can cast in person can vote by voters can vote by mail. Voters may use their ballot mail. paper ballots, before Election touch-screen Day to avoid systems, or long lines. voting machines. If you could vote, which voting method would you use? Who are you voting for in your class general election? © 2024 The Clever Teacher  Page 16 Electoral College What is the Electoral College? The Electoral College is a group of people appointed by each state who formally elect the president and vice president of the United States. Each person in the Electoral College is called an. How many electors are there and why? Since 1964, there have been electors in each presidential election. The number of electors is equal to the total voting membership of the U.S. Congress. How many electoral votes does a candidate need to win? To win, a candidate must receive at least electoral votes. This is just over half of the 538 total votes. How do states get electoral votes? Each state receives a particular number of electors based on population size. How does the Electoral College work? When citizens vote in the general election, they are directly choosing the president. Instead, they are selecting the electors for their state who will later vote to decide the president. Most states have a “winner takes all” system. This means that the electoral votes go to the presidential candidate who gets the most votes in that state. However, Maine and Nebraska do it a little differently. Rather than giving all the electoral votes to just one candidate, they split them up based on who wins in different parts of the state. Electoral Votes for Each State © 2024 The Clever Teacher  Page 17 Electoral College What do people say about the Electoral College? Some critics of the Electoral College think that the system’s winner-take-all approach does not represent voters because a candidate can win the popular vote but lose the election. Others say that the Electoral College protects small states because voters from smaller states have more influence over the electoral vote. This could prevent candidates from ignoring states with small populations. What are safe and swing states? There are some states that have a history of voting for a particular party. These are known as. States that are teetering between parties are called. Candidates are not sure if these states will vote Republican or Democrat. Electoral College Reflection Questions: 1. How many electoral votes does your state have? Use the map to help you. 2. Is your state a swing state or a safe state? If it is a safe state, does it usually vote Democrat or Republican? 3. What questions do you have about the Electoral College? 4. Do you think the Electoral College system is fair? Why or why not? © 2024 The Clever Teacher  Page 19 What happens the election? marks the peaceful transfer of power when the new president and vice president take office. It usually happens on at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The day begins with the vice president being sworn in first, using an oath that’s been around since 1884. Next, the president takes the , which is written in the Constitution. The new president then gives an , a special speech where they talk about their vision for the country and share their goals. This ceremony is an important tradition that shows the strength of democracy. FAMOUS QUOTES: With malice toward none, with charity for all…” - I do solemnly swear that I Abraham Lincoln (1865)“ will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to ”We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” the best of my ability, preserve, protect and – Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933) defend the Constitution of the United States. ”Ask not what your country can do for you… ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy (1961) © 2024 The Clever Teacher Answer Key Page 4 What does a President do? 1. Commands leaders for 2. Selects ________ military the ________ Federal Agencies 3. Makes 4. Selects 5. Negotiates executive judges foreign with _______ orders ________ _________ governments 6. Participates in law-making 7. Pardons the __________ criminals ___________ process Presidential candidates 8. May use must be: emergency ___________ born q ___________ a U.S. citizen Powers q Over 35 years old q A U.S. resident for at 14 least ___________ years ©2024 The Clever Teacher  Political Parties Answer Key Page 5 group A political party is a _____________ similar of people who have _____________ ideas about how the government should be run. two In the United States, there are _____________ major parties: the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. There are also “third parties,” but it is hard for them to win elections. The Republican Party The Democratic Party (Also called The GOP, Conservatives, or The Right) (Also called Liberals, Progressives, or The Left) Symbol is an Symbol is a elephant _______________ donkey _______________ Conservative Ideas: Liberal/Progressive Ideas: A large national government threatens the A large national government can help solve problems freedoms of individuals. Many decisions should ___________ equality. and promote ___________ be left up to state and local governments. fair The free market is not ___________ to wealth The free market brings ___________ to everyone. The government should help people with America. American companies, instead of the less power and money. government, should have the chance to solve problems. Businesses may not prioritize the average American, The government should spend less money, and so the government should set rules for them. everyone should pay low taxes. The government should help pay for things like military will Spending money on a strong ___________ doctor visits and childcare. keep the country safe. People who have a lot of money should pay more in Religious and traditional family values matter. taxes ___________. Remember: This is not a list of all the issues Remember: This is not a list of all the issues and Republicans do not agree with each and Democrats do not agree with each other on every issue! other on every issue! ©2024 The Clever Teacher Answer Key Presidential Election Process Page 6 1. ___________ ____________ 2. ______________ and Presidential candidates ______________ START try to gain support from their political party and -A is a meeting where the American people people from a political party through ads and come together, discuss, and speeches. choose their candidate for the election. are special 3. _______________ _______________ elections where people in a - A national convention is a big meeting political party vote to choose where each party announces its final their candidate for the election. presidential nominee. Then, the nominees announce their vice-presidential candidates. - The final candidates travel 4. __________ __________ around the country to gain On election day, people in support. They also participate in every state vote for President TV debates where they discuss and Vice President. their plans for the country. 5. _______________ _______________ - When citizens vote in the general election, they FINISH are not directly choosing the president. Instead, they are selecting the electors for their state who will later vote to decide the president. The new president - Each state receives a particular number of and vice president electors based on population size. take office in - There are 538 electors in total. January. - A candidate needs more than half of these votes (at least 270) to win. ©2024 The Clever Teacher