Lesson 6: The Election Process in the United States
Duration of Days: 1
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to describe the steps involved in the U.S. election process, from primary elections to the general election and the Electoral College.
How does a candidate get elected to office in the United States?
Primary election, caucus, general election, Electoral College, popular vote
Civics and Government standards related to the election process.
Understanding the intricacies of the U.S. election process, including the Electoral College, is often necessary for comprehending social studies passages on the SAT.
This lesson provides a detailed overview of the stages of the U.S. election process. The purpose is to analyze the steps involved. (DOK Level 3: Analyze)
Discuss the upcoming or most recent elections at the local, state, and national levels, focusing on the different stages.
Students might not understand the difference between the popular vote and the Electoral College or the purpose of primary elections.
Support: Provide a flowchart or timeline outlining the steps in the election process.
Challenge: Have students research and present on the arguments for and against the Electoral College.
Students will create a visual representation (e.g., diagram, infographic) of the U.S. election process, labeling the key stages and terms.
Whiteboard or projector, markers, diagrams of the election process, explanations of the Electoral College.