NIE Lesson Plan – Mock Election 2008

 

Featured Web Site: www. nie.lancasteronline.com/election

School contacts register online by Sept. 5 and report student results from their school by Oct. 28.

Lesson Grade Level: Elementary, Middle and High School

Lesson Subject Area: Civics & Government

PA Standards & Assessments: Civics & Government

5.3.3 F	Explain what an election is.
5.3.6 F	Describe the voting process.
5.3.9 F	Explain the election process.
5.3.12 F	Evaluate the elements of the election process.

Essential question:

How does a Pennsylvania resident register and become eligible to vote in a federal election?

 

Background Information:

Pennsylvania, where the U.S. Constitution was written, was the second state admitted to the Union, officially becoming a state in December 1787. The Keystone State has participated in all 55 presidential elections through 2004. Although it has voted Democratic in the last four elections, Pennsylvania is considered a swing state with its 21 electoral votes.

 

To qualify to vote, a citizen must (1) be a citizen of the United States, (2) be a resident of the state in which he/she is planning to register, and (3) be at least 18-years-old at the time of the next election. In addition, most states have the following two requirements: (1) not be imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony and (2) not currently be judged mentally incompetent by a court of law.

 

Voter registration forms can be found online, completed and submitted to a County Board of Elections office. When completing a voter registration form, a citizen will need prior knowledge of and be able to determine his/her party affiliation: Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Green, or Constitution.

 

To cast a vote for a presidential candidate in the federal election on November 4, a citizen must be registered 30 days prior to the election or in 2008 by October 6.

 

Resources:

Presidential Voting History www.270towin.com/states/Pennsylvania

Voting FAQ www.declareyourself.com

Adapted for NIE by Dr. Ann Marie Steele, Lancaster Newspapers, Inc., Lancaster, PA

 

Activating Thinking Strategies:

Who would you vote for in the federal election? Elicit students’ ideas and write/key them on the board.

Teaching Strategies:

Students locate newspaper articles about the presidential candidates. From these articles, teacher revisits the election process and assists students in identifying campaign issues of the main political parties.

Extending/Refining Activity:

Students determine their party affiliation and then compare and contrast their personal decisions with classmates.

Summarizing Strategies:

Students register and cast their vote in a mock election. (see next page)

Assessment:

Using a graphic organizer, students select a newspaper article and record the results of the 2008 federal election. Students meet with teacher to asses their mastery of the election process and compare results.