Political Parties and the Election Process

The Election Game

In groups, you will be preparing for your party’s initial presidential campaign. You will be creating your own party, creating a fictitious presidential and vice presidential nominee, and ultimately participating in a mock election based upon the electoral college.

Day 1: Creating Your Party

Directions Name your party

Create a logo/slogan if you would like

Create a Presidential and Vice Presidential Nominee Name & Home State

Outline the Party’s Platform (Issues to Campaign On) from list below & outline why they matter

Outline why you selected these issues to guide your campaign

Possible Campaign Issues Pro-Defense

Spending Free Trade Fair Trade (Tariffs) Protect Senior

Citizens Pro-Gun Control Anti-Gun Control Pro-Farms Pro-Environment Family Values Manufacturing Jobs Women in the

Workforce Strict Immigration

Control Promoting

Education Reform Welfare Protect Welfare Pro-Crime Law

Enforcement Balanced Budget Pro Tax Cuts Pro Gay Marriage Anti Gay Marriage Pro Choice Pro Life

Day 2Prepping for the Election

Step 1: Creating your presidential signs (see above) Consider names, slogans, etc. on sign for appeal

Submit electronically to me (will be used tomorrow…)

Step 2: Stump Speech 3-4 minute speech your hypothetical candidate would give

at political rallies (will be shared in class tomorrow—you will read them as if you were the fictitious candidate at a rally)

Should include your five focus areas of campaigning from yesterday and make clear arguments as to why they matter

Pick three points of emphasis out of those five points and give an overview of your “vision” for America

Step 3: Preparing for the election Select which states you will focus your campaign in (using

the same list of 10 from yesterday—pick three)

Day 3: Campaigning Begins

Sharing of stump speeches (graded by classmates)

Campaign stops mapped out on board

Information on the Electoral System of the CUSA shared with class

Overview of state views shared with class

Campaign strategy meetings to change course of campaign (if necessary)