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Lesson

Voting

Guiding question

How do special interests impact voting?

Duration
60 min
Grade
9–12
Published
Nov 5, 2020
An illustration featuring a soldier with a rifle, a portrait of a man, and a ballot box labeled "BOX for VALID BALLOTS."
America holds more elections than any other democracy. The reason is federalism. Because of decentralization there are more offices for the electorate to fill and thus more elections.

Guiding Questions

  • How do special interests impact voting?
  • To what extent do ordinary citizens have power in American government through voting?

Objectives

  • Understand “factions” as defined by James Madison.
  • Recognize the influence of special interests in American government.
  • Compare and contrast the influence of special interests versus that of voters.

Materials

Educator Resources

Student Handouts

Lesson Components

ActivityDocuments of Freedom Handout A, Voting Lesson: Federalist No. 10
ActivityHandout B: “The Bosses of the Senate”
ActivityHandout C: “Another Dam Breaks”
EssayEssay: Voting

America holds more elections than any other democracy. The reason is federalism. Because of decentralization there are more offices for the electorate to fill and thus more elections.

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Lesson plan

60 minClick a phase to open it

Key Terms

consent of the governed
tyranny
republic
Alexander Hamilton
Alexis de Tocqueville

Standards

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Related materials

An illustration featuring a soldier with a rifle, a portrait of a man, and a ballot box labeled "BOX for VALID BALLOTS."
EssayEssay: Voting

America holds more elections than any other democracy. The reason is federalism. Because of decentralization there are more offices for the electorate to fill and thus more elections.