Title: ★ TASK: Electing the U.S. President
Course: US Election 2020-Leuphana-Copy > Section: 1. The Electoral System

[fa-info-circle]  In this task, you will:

- learn about how the 'POTUS' is elected, who votes, how votes are counted, and what role individual states play in this process;
- collect information from videos and texts and brief your classmates on different phases of U.S. elections.

1. Electing the U.S. President [fa-eye]   [fa-volume-down]   [fa-comments-o]

a.  Pre-viewing

Discuss the topic of U.S. presidential elections in class and collect what you already know about this process. For example, you could create a mind-map in class, make notes on index cards and sort them on the blackboard, or fill out a K-W-L chart on the election process. Whatever you decide to do, note down the questions you have about this process so you can address them later.

Know | Want to know | Learned

b.  While viewing

Watch the video Electing a US President in Plain English [1] (below) and fill out the viewing guide for this video [2] (below).

I you’d like a little help, watch the interactive version Electing a US President in Plain English: Interactive Video with Comprehension Questions.

(The viewing guide questions are inserted directly into the interactive video and it includes small pauses to help you focus on the individual video sections. Additional tips and guiding questions can be viewed by clicking on the ‘plus’ button in the top left corner of the interactive video.)

c.  Post-viewing

Discuss what happens during the individual steps of the election. Revisit your initial questions about the process and check whether they have been answered or still remain unclear.

In addition, consider what role your state plays in the election. How many electoral votes does it have? Does your state have a lot of electoral votes in comparison to other states?

2. Focus on the Electoral College [fa-eye]   [fa-volume-down]   [fa-comments-o]

To learn more about the role of the electoral college, watch the video “Does Your Vote Count? The Electoral College Explained” [3] (below) and fill out the viewing guide [4] while watching. Watch the video again if necessary. Discuss your results with a partner first and then with the rest of the class.

a.  Pre-viewing

Think about what questions you still have after watching the last video, “Electing a US President in Plain English.” [1]

Look at the questions on the viewing guide for “Does Your Vote Count? The Electoral College Explained” [4] All of the answers to the questions will appear in the video in the same order they are on your worksheet, except the final question.

The final question will be mentioned throughout the video. Do you have a prediction of what the answer could be? Consider what you learned in the previous video ‘Electing a US President in Plain English.’ [1]

b.  While viewing

An interactive video for  “Does Your Vote Count? The Electoral College Explained: Interactive Video with Comprehension Questions" is also available. In the interactive video, the tasks match the viewing guide, but are accompanied with several short pauses.

The pauses in the video come right before each task begins. This pause can be helpful to allow you to finish writing the answer to your last question before moving on, or let you know when to perk up your ears for the next task. In the upper left hand corner of the video, you will notice a blue button with a white plus sign (or a purple button for multiple choice). If you choose to click on the button the question on the viewing guide will be shown.

c.  Post-viewing

At the end of the interactive video, an additional set of questions will appear in regard to your state. Consider what role your state plays in regard to the 2020 election.

1. Who has your state voted for in past elections?
2. Is your state a swing state or a safe state for either party?
3. If your state is a safe state, which political party has your state voted for in past elections?

Optional [fa-book]

Read the pamphlet, “USA/// In Brief Elections” [5] by the U.S. State Department for more information on the role of the Electoral College.

Resources for this task

[1] Electing a U.S. President in Plain English
Common Craft |
video

[2] Electing a US President in Plain English (viewing guide)
Teach About U.S. / Common Craft
handout

[3] Does Your Vote Count? The Electoral College Explained
TED-Ed | Date
video

[4] Does Your Vote Count? The Electoral College Explained (viewing guide)
Teach About U.S. / TED Ed
handout

[5] USA /// In Brief Elections
Staticshare / U.S. government

website/PDF

[Extra] Why do Americans vote on a Tuesday?
Jacob Soboroff / TED Ed
video

SEE ALSO:

- TIP: Viewing films