Essential Question

How are Presidents considered for Presidency?

Getting ready for Presidency!

• Think about how President’s are elected.• Why consider Political Parties?• How does a candidate become able to run for

President?• Do Individual states have say on what

candidate they want representing them in the Presidential Election?

Read All About It……By: Anna Coker

• Political Parties• Two Main Parties

» Democrat» Republican

• How states choose a candidate for Presidency• Caucus • Primary Election

• Electoral College• Who does this consist of and what is their job?

• Electors• Who are they?• How many are in each state?• How many total are there in the United States?

What are political parties?

A POLITICAL PARTY IS AN ORGANIZED GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO SHARE THE SAME IDEAS ABOUT

WHAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO.

THE TWO MAIN PARTIES…

DEMOCRATS“Democrats believe that we’re

greater together than we are on our own- that this country succeeds when

everyone gets a fair shot, when everyone does their

fair share, and when everyone plays by the same

rules.”

REPUBLICANS“Republicans believe in the

importance of individuals, and fight for individuals’ rights in opposition to a

large, intrusive government”

Name the two ways that states choose a candidate for president and explain each.

Caucus• Party members meet

together to choose a presidential candidate. The caucus then chooses delegates who will travel to the national convention to vote for the chosen presidential candidate.

Primary Election• Voters go to the polls and

choose a candidate to represent their party in the presidential election. Delegates from that party also travel to the national convention to cast their votes.

What is the Electoral College?

The Electoral College is made up of men and women who have been chosen by their states to meet together and cast the final votes for

president.

How many electors represent each state in the college? How many total electors are there?

• Each state has the same number of presidential electors as the number of United States Senators and Representatives from that state. The District of Columbia also has three representatives in the Electoral College.

• There are currently 538 presidential electors serving in the Electoral College.

Websites….

• http://pbskids.org/zoom/fromyou/elections/elections101.htm

• http://kidsvotingusa.org/• http://kids.usa.gov/play-games/government/i

ndex.shtml

» These are all really good websites that can be used when teaching this lesson. The last site provided includes great videos and interactive games that can be done whole group on an interactive board.

Summing It All Up!

• So, do you still think you might want to run for President someday? Take into consideration what you have learned today and utilize this information as you become a citizen of age to vote in the United States? It is imperative to be knowledgeable about how processes such as these work. Stand up for your country, be an active citizen, let your voice be heard!

We are America!