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"It is by their votes the people exercise their sovereignty." - Thomas Jefferson
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Let's Vote for Grades K-3
From the Illinois State Board of Elections
"'Let's Vote' and the related 'Coloring Book' are designed for students kindergarten through 3rd grade. The pages of 'Let’s Vote' contain information and procedures for conducting an election for the 'offices' of favorite animals and birds. Additionally, a ballot for President and Vice President and United States Senator for optional classroom use will be added to this edition following certification of the names in September 2008. The section labeled Teacher’s Procedures includes suggested related activities and a schedule of pre-election and election day procedures. The Appendix contains suggested ballots, polling place signs, word puzzles based on election terminology, and a maze to find the polling place." |
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Mock Election 2008 for Grades 4-12
From the Illinois State Board of Elections
"'Mock Election 2008' is designed for students 4th through 12th grades. The guide provides teachers background information, election procedures, and forms necessary to conduct an election based on real General Election candidates for the 2008 election. The teacher’s background covers areas such as: voter qualifications, voter registration, appointing judges of elections and pollwatchers, marking ballots, counting votes, and more. Go to the Election Procedures section to find a schedule of activities beginning several weeks before the November 4 General Election. (An outline of procedures in index form is found on page i.) These activities include appointing an election authority, judges of election and pollwatchers. You will even find a suggested layout for your polling place. The Appendix provides all the necessary forms including voter registration form, notice of election form, 'Vote Here' and 'Polling Place' signs, affidavits, and more. Candidate's names and ballot for classroom use will be added to this edition following certification of the names in August 2008." |
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Election Kit
From Pearson
This site has excellent resources for learning about the election process. |
The Election Process and the Campaign Trail
From ArtsEdge
"Students will research the process used to elect a U.S. president and plan a campaign. They will develop a campaign platform and plan a campaign train tour for a fictional presidential candidate. Students will also compose a campaign song to use on the train tour." |
The Election Process and Political Cartoons
From ArtsEdge
"Students organize the information they researched in the previous two lessons to create a flow chart that shows the process for electing a U.S. president and vice-president from the primary elections through inauguration day. Students design and illustrate a political cartoon that shows the candidate taking the oath of office as U.S. president." |
Who Can Vote for President?
From ArtsEdge
"Students use a variety of sources to research the role and historical importance of voting U.S. elections. Students will learn about rules of voter eligibility, registration, and voter participation. Using this information and their research, students will then create an election campaign poster that encourages voter participation." |
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Counting the Vote - Primary Source Connection
From Teacher Created Materials
Using a primary source illustration from the election of 1876, students analyze the effectiveness of how votes have been tallied. |
The McKinley Campaign
From Teacher Created Materials
Students will create an election poster for a candidate after the analysis of primary source from the McKinley election. |
KidsVoting USA
From Kids Voting USA.org
This site promotes voting experiences for students that duplicate adult voting. Some students go with their parents to the polling places while other vote at school or online. |
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National Student/Parent Mock Election
From National Mock Election.org
“The Mock Election can teach civic engagement. Properly used, it can also teach language arts, math, science, music, history, research skills, critical thinking skills, technological literacy, character education/ethics. It can vastly increase students understanding of the global world in which they live.” Taking place October 30! More than 4 million students, teachers, and parents participated in the ME of 2004! |
Rock the Vote
From Rock the Vote.com
This site provides information on how, where, and when to vote, and offers programs for voter turnout. |
Declare Yourself
From Declare Yourself.com
“Congratulations! You just turned 18! You can vote, you can get a tattoo, and you can… run for office?" This site encourages every 18-year-old to vote, and offers information on deadlines and election issues, as well as a FAQ section. |
Federal Election Commission
Administering and Enforcing Federal Campaign Finance Laws
The Federal Election Commission has information on elections, voter turnout, and campaign finance. FEC Campaign finance information is now available via easy to use maps of the USA for both Presidential and House and Senate Elections through the most recent reporting period. |
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Project Vote Smart
From Vote Smart.org
This is a non-partisan resource that provides information on the voting records, positions, and interest group ratings of elected officials, state ballot measures in the upcoming elections, and links to information on campaign finances. |
The Center for Responsive Politics
From Open Secrets.org
This is the website of the Center for Repsonsive Politics, a non-partisan, non-profit organization that tracks financial contributions to politicians. You can find out which companies and industries contribute most to your senator or representative, or compare the amounts that different industries give to Democrats and Republicans. |
Historical Information on Presidential Campaigns
Presidential Campaigns, Conventions and Elections
The purpose of this site is to provide researchers, teachers, students, politicians, journalists, and citizens a complete resource guide to the US Presidents. Info on campaigns and results in past elections is on this site. There is a listing of campaign slogans from presidential elections from 1840 to 2004! |
The Electoral College
A PowerPoint
This is a great PowerPoint explaining the Electoral College to middle school students. |
Electoral College
Coordinating Assignment
This is the coordinating assignment to the PowerPoint about the Electoral College. |
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What Makes a Good President?
From Pearson
This site examines the essential question, "What makes a good president?" |
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Election History and Statistics, Candidates, and Party Politics
From Fact Monster
A wealth of information! |
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