The Election Process (3 branches)

The Election Process (3 Branches)

The Presidential election is held every four years in the United States in the month of November on the first Tuesday after the first Monday.

​When is the Presidential election?

Multiple Choice

When are U.S. Presidential elections?

• Tuesdays in November

• Thursdays in November

• Fridays in January

• Tuesdays in December

To be President, a candidate must be a natural born citizen (from the U.S.), be at least 35 years old, and have lived in the U.S. for the past 14 years.

​

Who is eligible?

After announcing themselves as a presidential candidate and raising money for a campaign, candidates post on Social media, attend rallies, and give free merchandise to undediced voters.

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​How does a candidate campaign?

Multiple Choice

What are the requirements to run for President?

• -Be a citizen

  -Be 35yrs old

  -Live in the U.S.

• -Be a citizen

  -Be 40yrs old

  -Live in the U.S. for 14 years

• -Be a natural born citizen

  -Be 35yrs old

  -Live in the U.S. for 14 yrs

• -Be a natural born citizen

  -Be 70yrs old

  -Live in U.S. for 15 years

Open Ended

What are TWO ways you could campaign as a presidential candidate?

To get on the ballot, a presidential candidate must follow the rules for each individual state. They are all different, but usually include getting signatures on petitions and paying filing fees.

Getting on the Ballot

Open Ended

What is difficult about getting on the ballot in all 50 states?

A primary election is a preliminary election that helps decided which candidates will be on the final presidential ballot. In order to vote in the Republican or Democratic primary, you must be registered as a memberof the political party.

What is a primary election?

Multiple Choice

Which animals represent Democrats and Republicans?

• Donkeys = D

  Monkeys = R

• Elephants = D

  Kangaroos = R

• Tigers = D

  Elephants = R

• Donkeys = D

  Elephants= R

To become the presidential nominee for a party, a candidate typically has to earn a majority vote from the party members.

After the vote, state delegates go to a convention to confirm their choice. At the convention, the final candidate usually announces who will run as Vice.

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What is a National Convention?

Multiple Select

What happens at a National Convention?

• The current Vice President makes a speech.

• Party delegates confirm the final presidential nominee.

• Delegates from the opposite political party confirm the final candidate.

• The Presidential candidate announces who will run as Vice.

At a Presidential debate, candidates have a chance to try to convince undecided voters to vote for them. The debate allows viewers to hear candidates perspectives in real time.

​

What is the purpose of the Presidential debates?

Open Ended

What is one reason to watch a Presidential debate?

In the United States, the electoral college determines who wins the Presidential election, NOT the popular vote.

This means the majority vote in 48 states wins ALL the electoral votes for their state.

​Maine and Nebraska divide the electoral votes.

The Electoral College

Open Ended

If you could, would you ABOLISH or remove the electoral college? Why or why not?

Since 1913, senators have been elected directly by popular vote by the people of each state. Prior, state legislatures chose state senators.

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How do Senators get into office?

Voters in a congressional district elect new members to the House of Representatives by the plurality rule. This is a popular vote.

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How do representatives for the House get into office?

Multiple Choice

How do Senators and members of the House of Reps get into office?

• Popular national vote

• Popular state vote

• State legislature

• They are nominated by the President

Members must be at least 30 years old, must live in the state they want to represent, and have lived in the U.S. for 9 years.

While the term length for Senate is 6 years, senators can run for their position as many times as they want.

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What requirements need to be met to serve on the Senate?

Members must be at least 25 years old, must live in the state they want to represent, and have lived in the U.S. for 7 years.

While the term length for House of Reps is 2 years, reps can run for their position as many times as they want.

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What requirements need to be met to serve on the House of Reps?

Open Ended

Which office has more lax (easier) requirements for joining? Explain.

Multiple Select

Think of Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing. How do Supreme Court Justices get onto the Supreme Court?

• They are nominated by the President

• They are nominated by the Senate

• They are confirmed by the Senate

• They are confirmed by the House of Reps