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  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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Books & Reading

Books & Reading

What if there was a presidential election and no one voted?

Why can't we have a one-day presidential primary election? Why must it span over months and yet we only have one day to vote in the general presidential election?

If under Article II of the Constitution, people in Puerto Rico can’t vote in the presidential election, then why can they vote in presidential primaries?

Is voting in presidential elections regulated by the states or by the federal government?


Election 2008


 

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

 
The Election of the President


Uncle Sam, the word spy, wants you to take a minute and test your knowledge.

Match the word(s) in the left-hand column to complete the questions or statements in the right-hand column. Check your answers.

Two A. In which Article of the U.S. Constitution does it state the qualifications to run for President?
elector(s) B. What are the 3 qualifications for becoming a U.S. President?
Article II C. How many terms can a President run for?
35 years old, born in the U.S., lived in the U.S. for 14 years D. The President is elected by ______?
the Electoral College E. When you vote for a Presidential candidate, you are really voting to instruct the _________ from your state to cast their votes for the same candidate.

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Gerald Ford was the only person to serve as both President and Vice President without being elected to either office.

Surf with Uncle Sam
Surf with Uncle Sam

Word Spy
Word Spy

Projects You Can Do

"1960: The Making of the President" is a very enjoyable U.S. presidential election game. The players take on the roles of John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in recreating the 1960 U.S. presidential election. The goal is to finish the game with enough electoral votes to claim victory.

A candidate's support in a state is measured by wooden cubes (red for Nixon, blue for Kennedy). At the start of the game, many states are empty, but some are predisposed to support one candidate or the other. For example, Massachusetts starts with two blue cubes while Ohio and Illinois each start with a red cube.

The game primarily revolves around the 91 campaign cards, which were painstakingly researched and evoke the ambiance of this historic election. These cards allow players to add cubes to the board, collect cubes (which are used at several key points during the game), advertise in a region, and more.

"1960: The Making of the President" is full of tough decisions. You will always want to do more than your resources allow. It captures many of the emotions in a hard-fought campaign, with swings of euphoria and depression, as well as the tactics and strategy needed to win a victory in the Electoral College.

Learn more at: 1960: The Making of the President

 

Awards

 

The Dirksen Congressional CenterCopyright 2008