Congress for Kids: [Elections]: Candidates at the Convention

Elections

Introduction Election Day Voting Election of the President Candidates Political Parties Primary Election National Conventions National Conventions - An Inside View Candidates at the Convention The Campaign Polling Places The Electoral College The Electoral Map The Inauguration

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What is the number of candidates allowed to participate in the national convention?

What voting process do the two major political parties use at their national conventions to formally nominate a presidential candidate?

CNN Election Express Game

Candidates at the Convention

Analyzing the Candidates in the 2008 Presidential Election
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/politics/
vote2008_candidates.html
Lesson Plan - A multitude of candidates are hoping to win their party's nomination for the 2008 presidential election. Between now and election day, many candidates will enter and leave the race for a variety of reasons. Eventually, each party will use its convention to choose the candidate they will endorse and those nominees will battle it out until one is elected as our next president. This lesson examines the political process, the candidates and their platforms, and the ultimate outcome of the 2008 election.

Return to Tour

The first national convention of the Democratic Party began in Baltimore on May 21, 1832. In that year the infamous 2/3 rule was created, requiring a 2/3 majority to nominate a candidate, in order to show the party's unanimous support of Martin Van Buren for vice president.

Projects You Can Do

Using what you have learned about candidates at the convention, design a campaign item for a particular candidate. This could be a button; bumper sticker; print, radio, television or Internet ad; billboard or pamphlet. Share your campaign item(s) with your friends.

Awards