Elections

• separation of powers
• Thomas Jefferson
• Electoral College
• popular sovereignty
• founders
• federalism
• consent of the governed
• Alexander Hamilton
• John Adams
• Constitution
• Seventeenth Amendment
• equality
• republic
• First Amendment
• Framers

Elections Activity: Constitutional Connection—The Electoral College

Have students read sections of Article II of the Constitution and Federalist No. 68 in Handout A: Constitutional Connection—The Electoral College to understand and analyze the Electoral College.

 

Elections Activity: Voting Rights and the U.S. Constitution

Have students read Handout B: Background Essay: Voting Rights Amendments and Handout C: The Suffrage Amendments and then discuss the history of voting in the United States and how it affected individual liberty. Then have students read Handout D: Alice Paul and discuss the struggles of the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Finally, as a homework project, have students choose other actors in suffrage movements throughout American history and develop a multi-media presentation.

 

Elections Activity: Campaign Finance and Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010)

Have students trace the history of campaign finance reform laws and rulings. They should read Handout E: Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010) Background Essay and complete Handout F: Timeline of Campaign Finance Reform Initiatives. Next, have students analyze the Citizens United Supreme Court case opinions in Handout G: Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010) Majority Opinion, Handout H: Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010) Dissenting Opinion, and Handout I: Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010) Concurring Opinion. Finally, students should use Handout J: Evaluation of Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010) to evaluate the opinions and explain their own opinions relating to the case.