Elections, Parties, and Pressure Groups
Session 9: Electoral College

Materials

• Political Process Vocabulary List (Attachment A)
• Textbook
• Transparency: “Electoral Votes” (Attachment I)

Instructional Activities

1. Write the day's vocabulary words on an overhead or write on the board (see Attachment A). Briefly discuss their meanings.
   
   
2. Explain the Electoral College system, including
   •    The number of electors per state and how they are allotted. Ask students to look at the map of electoral votes in their text.
   •    Explain that the number of electors changes after each census (see Attachment I).
   •    The slate of electors for each state is chosen by popular vote.
   •    The electors meet to vote for President and Vice President.
   •    The winner-take-all system leads to the targeting of large states for campaigning, although candidates must pay attention to small states whose electoral votes may make the difference in tight elections.
   
   
3. Using the 2000 election as an example, explain to students how a candidate can win the popular vote and lose the election.
   
   
4. Explain that tomorrow the class will simulate the Electoral College in class. Ask for volunteers to be the two candidates. If time permits, explain the next day's procedure in order to give the candidates time to think about their stands.