Topic 8, Lesson 2: Winning an Election

Topic 8, Lesson 2: Winning an Election: Analyze Political Ads!

Directions: Record the Main Takeaways in your notes and any other information you consider vital. Be prepared to respond to prompts and multiple choice question throughout lesson. Rewards will be given.

​Lesson objectives

Why is it important to be a responsible voter?

Unit Essential Q.

Essential Questions

Key Vocabulary

​LESSON 1 REVIEW

​RUNNING FOR OFFICE

1. Why is understanding how candidates get elected and advance through elections an important responsibility for us?

2. Why do incumbents typically win re-election? why might they lose?

3. For most state or national offices, you'll have to enter what?

4. Differentiate between a closed and open primary.

5. What is an alternative for a primary that spome states hold?

6. What 4 states hold a Caucus? Is Florida a primary or caucus state?

7. Describe "primary season" for a presidential candidate.

8. What happens at a Party's national convention? What all is approved?

9. What part of the election follows the national conventions?

POLITICAL INFLUENCERS

1. What are some ways political campaigns promote their candidates?

2. What was unique about the 1940 presidential election?

3. What is a way candidates for local offices reach potential voters (harder for state and national candidates)?

4. Identify several other ways candidates gain attention.

5. How can interest groups impact elections?

6. What do interest groups form to help finance a candidate's campaign? What are some examples?

7. How does the media impact elections? What does responsible reporting look like?

8. How can polls influence elections?

​MAIN TAKEAWAYS

• Primaries and Caucuses are the first step for candidates running for most state and national offices. FL has a primary election. These elections help choose a single candidate for the general election.

• Primaries may be closed or open. If closed, voters may only participate if they are registered with that political party.

• Incumbents are typically favored in elections.

• At the end of a "primary season", Republicans and Democrats hold national conventions to choose their candidate for the upcoming general election.

• Campaigning involves numerous tactics to reach voters.

• Interest groups and PACs may endorse candidates and even contribute finanacially. The Medis may endorse candidates, as well, and/or show bias towards a particular side. Political polls can influence voters, as well.

Multiple Choice

What role is this newspaper playing in the election process?

• Highlighting issues

• Identifying candidates

• Publishing editorials

• Providing a forum for voters

Multiple Choice

What would best replace the question mark in this web?

• Analyzing election results

• Holding debates

• Conducting voter surveys

• Recognizing bias

Multiple Choice

PAC stands for -

• Politics and Commutators

• Politics Authoring Committee

• Political Action Committee

• Political Artifact College

Multiple Choice

Which age group typically has the lowest voter turnout?

• 55-75 year olds

• 18-21 year olds

• 40-50 year olds

• 25-35 year olds

Multiple Choice

Which statement best completes the shaded area in the Venn diagram?

• Reflect fundamental conservative views

• Believe in little government involvement in the economy

• Reflect fundamental liberal views

• Main goal is to organize to win elections

Multiple Choice

Primaries and caucuses determine who _____ the general election for President.

• Wins

• Votes in

• Runs in

• Reports on

Multiple Choice

Delegates cast their official votes for nominees at:

• Party conventions

• Polling places

• Campaign speeches

• Caucus meetings

Multiple Choice

Which series shows the correct sequence of steps to becoming President of the United States?

• Convention, Primary, General Election, Inauguration
• Primary, Convention, General Election, Electoral College Vote
• Primary, Electoral College Vote, General Election, Convention
• Primary, General Election, Inauguration, Electoral College Vote

Multiple Choice

An election where only those voters registered with that particular political party may vote to select a particular candidate.

• open primary
• closed primary
• open general
• closed genreal

Multiple Choice

An election where anyone of any political party affiliation may vote to select a candidate for a particular party

• open primary
• closed primary
• open general
• closed general

Multiple Choice

Which of these is an accurate difference between Primaries and Caucuses

• Primaries are to elect party candidates while caucuses are during the general election
• Caucuses are to elect party candidates while Primaries are during the general election
• Caucuses are a public voting system where candidates are discussed and Primaries are formal voting
• Primaries and Caucuses are both used during the general election

RUNNING AND PAYING FOR A CAMPAIGN (COPY)

• ​Campaign finance sources include individuals and PACs.

• The Federal Election Commission limits funds.

STATE AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

1. What happens on election day?

2. How are winners determined in state and local elections?

3. When would a runoff election take place?

4. When would a recount take place?

THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE

1. How are presidential elections different than state and local elections?

2. How many electors make up the electoral college?

3. How are a state's electoral votes determined?

4. Discuss flaws in the early electoral college.

5. Who decided if there is a tie in the electoral college?

6. What was the significance of the 12th amendment?

7. When and how does FL choose their electors? What do the electors promise?

8. Which two states do not use the "winner take all" system?

9. How many electoral votes are needed to win? Why do some disagree with the system?

​MAIN TAKEAWAYS

• State and local elections are determined by popular vote. Runoff elections occur if no candidate receives a majority. Recounts may occur if a very close race.

• Presidential elections are determined by the electoral college. The Census determines Congress and determines electoral votes. The FL Govenor chooses the electors for FL prior to the election.

• The 12th amendment allows for electors to vote for President and VP who run on same ticket. All states except Maine and Nebraska have a "winner take all" system. You need 270 of the 538 electoral votes to win. The House of Reps breaks ties. You can win the electoral vote and lose the national popular vote.

Multiple Choice

Party nominees are to primaries as the President is to the _______.

• Electoral College

• Popular vote

• Nominating conventions

• Vice president

Multiple Choice

What can you infer about the campaign slogan, "Four More Years?"

• It's for a Democratic candidate.

• It’s relevant only during state primaries.

• It's supporting the current President.

• It can be used by any nominee.

Multiple Choice

Rita mentions that money is the cornerstone of any campaign. What is a synonym for "cornerstone?"

• minor element

• essential part

• final component

• simplest aspect

Multiple Choice

What is the best definition of "platform?"

• a political party's core beliefs

• a nominee's electoral strategy

• donations to a campaign

• third party candidates

Multiple Choice

A list of candidates that people use to cast a vote.

• vote

• ballot

• democracy

• appeal

Multiple Choice

Where would a Democratic nominee spend the most time campaigning?

• a blue state

• a red state

• a swing state

• a state with a small population

Multiple Choice

Winning which state would give the biggest electoral boost to a presidential candidate?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a presidential candidate?

• At least 35 years old
• Natural born US citizen
• College educated
• US resident at least 14 years

Multiple Choice

States that historically vote Republican in Presidential Elections are known as

• blue states
• red states
• purple states
• yellow states

Multiple Choice

It's possible to win more individual votes and still lose the election.

• true

• false