It's that time of year, and the year. Once again the race is on for the White House. It's important that young voters, and would-be voters, understand the process for becoming the United States President. Class members research the process by tracking candidates from the launching of a campaign through Inauguration Day. Along the way they examine eligibility criteria, the candidates' FEC application, and the candidates stance on a variety of critical issues. A must-have resource for any presidential election year.

Concepts

presidential elections, american politics, elections, mock elections, the electoral college, the electoral process, the electoral vote

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Have class members bring in print materials, including packets from the League of Women Voters, sample ballots, and ads for candidates and ballot measures
• Instructors should decide on the scope, whether to begin the research as the many candidates test the waters, with the conventions, or after parties have nominated their candidates
• Have researchers fact-check all claims and statements

Classroom Considerations

• Groups require access to computers with internet 
• To fully understand the process, students should track all 13 of the items listed in the resource, beginning with the eligibility criteria to be coming president
• The materials target the 2020 presidential election

Pros

• Links take researchers to sites that have information about the Democrat, Republican, Green, and Libertarian candidates, as well as their stance on issues

Cons

• None