Congress for Kids: [Elections]: Word Spy

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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How is it possible for the electoral vote to produce a different result than the nation-wide popular vote?

How did the terms "Elector" and "Electoral College" come into usage?

What impact does a candidate's concession speech have on the Electoral College process?

Should the Electoral College be reformed?

Have you considered that the Electoral College creates political stability by encouraging the two-party system?

Electoral College Calculator

The Electoral College

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.

Step One	A. A states' electoral votes are given to the candidate who wins a states' popular votes
Step Two	B. Electoral vote is taken
Step Three	C. Person with the majority of electoral votes is declared the winner
Step Four	D. New President is inaugurated on January 20th
Step Five	E. States hold elections and a popular vote is recorded
Step Six	F. Electors meet at the electoral college
Step Seven	G. Congress counts the electoral vote

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When you vote for the President of the United States you are actually voting for the electors nominated from your state to choose that person as President.

Projects You Can Do

Have a group of your friends assume roles of fictitious and/or actual people (voting citizens, academics, policy makers, organizational representatives, advocates, historical figures who created the Electoral College, among others) on both sides of the question of whether the Electoral College should be replaced with direct election of the president. Ask them to research their respective stances to debate whether the Electoral College should be kept as it is, reformed, or abolished. Once the debate with your friends is over, as a group come to consensus on what the best approaches are.

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