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Voting and Elections: Guided Reading Lesson 2
VOTING AND ELECTIONS
Lesson 2 Elections and Campaigns
Essential Question
Why do people create, structure, and change governments?
Types of Elections
1. Describing As you read the text, complete the sentences to show how the winners of elections are
determined. (When answering online, list the answers after the correct head "Primary Election:" or "General
Election:" and separate answers with a comma.)
Primary Election
Each ________ holds primary elections to choose a candidate to represent it.
If no single candidate gets a majority of votes, a ________ is held. The
winner then proceeds to the ________ election.
General Election
In the general election, the candidate with the most votes wins. However, in a
________ election, the popular vote does not determine the winner. If an
election is close, the losing candidate can demand a ________ of the votes.
If that fails to settle the matter, another ________ may be held. In the case of
a national election, ________ may settle the dispute.
2. Identifying When do general elections take place?
3. Defining Name and define two special processes that allow citizens to vote on issues.
4. Explaining What is the purpose of a recall election?
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Voting and Elections: Guided Reading Lesson 2
Presidential Elections
Presidential elections differ from other general elections. In a presidential election, the people do not directly
vote for their candidate of choice.
5. Sequencing As you read the text, create a flowchart that explains the electoral voting process. (When
answering online, list the steps that belong in each of the 5 boxes shown below.)
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Voting and Elections: Guided Reading Lesson 2
6. Evaluating Why are presidents elected by an Electoral College?
1. ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
7. Analyzing As you read the text, complete the web diagram by listing criticisms of the Electoral College.
(When answering online, list 5 criticisms.)
Running for Office
Summarizing It takes time, organization, money, and support to run an election campaign. As you read the
text, complete the chart to summarize events in a presidential campaign.
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Voting and Elections: Guided Reading Lesson 2
8. Events in a Presidential Campaign
a) The candidate forms a(n) __________ committee.
b) The committee finds out how much __________ the candidate will attract.
c) The candidate publicly announced to the media ______________________________.
9. Winning a Nomination
a) Several people from each __________ declare candidacy.
b) One candidate from each party is chosen at a(n) __________.
c) Delegates from __________ vote for their candidate of choice.
Delegates are chosen to represent the majority vote of primary elections in each state.
d) Some delegates are chosen by __________ .
Candidate from each party then compete in the national election.
10. Inferring List some of the ways candidates find money to fund their campaigns. Then explain why some
Americans worry that campaigns have become too expensive.
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Voting and Elections: Guided Reading Lesson 2
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