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Unit 5: The Electoral ProcessRules of the Game (WebQuest)Step 4: Winning the General Election & BeyondCongress has set the date for the general election as the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. In the United States, there are three types of general elections: presidential, mid-term, and off-year. Presidential elections are indirect elections in which citizens vote for the President and Vice President. Midterm elections are held near the mid-point of the presidential term to vote in members of the U.S. Congress. Midterms are often referred to as off-year elections, though “off-year” may also indicate a general election that is held in odd-numbered years at the municipal level in which mayors, local public offices, and a variety of citizen initiatives are on the ballot. Competing in the Battleground States: In the weeks and days leading up to the general election, campaigns focus on getting out the vote. Operatives utilize a variety of tactics to motivate voters, such as making phone calls, ringing doorbells, and offering free rides to those who have no other way to get to the polls. While the campaign organizers and volunteers execute the ground game, the candidates traverse the country to make their final push in the battleground states where the vote is likely to be close. “Swing states” are targeted by campaigns because either of the major party candidates stands a reasonable chance to win, which could prove critical in a competitive race. Click here to identify the “11 States that Will Determine the 2016 Election.” Then, click on this link to label the states on the map. Lastly, click here to see which candidate was victorious in each of the battleground states.According to the article, polling data analyzed by POLITICO suggested which swing states “would determine the next president” in 2016?Identify the battleground states by labeling the map. Who won each state?Capturing the Electoral College: As important as the popular vote may seem, it is the Electoral College vote that decides presidential elections. The framers of the Constitution devised the system, because they did not trust voters who were spread out over 13 states to choose the head of the executive branch. Instead, they gave that responsibility to a group of electors who might better know who was best suited for the job. Click here and scroll to page 371 to learn “How Things Work” in the Electoral College. When done, click the link to view the 2016 Electoral College Map.How many electoral votes are given to each state? What is the total number of electoral votes? How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency? What system is used to determine the number of electoral votes a candidate receives in each state? Explain how it works.What is a “faithless elector?”What happens if no candidate wins a majority of electoral votes?According to the text, “most Americans would like to abolish the electoral college.” Do you agree? Why or Why not?Click here to view the results of the 2016 General Election. When done, click on this link to view the final Electoral College Map.Which candidate won the popular vote? By how much?Which candidate won the electoral vote? By how much?How is this possible? Explain.Transition and Inauguration: About six weeks after the general election, the winning slates of electors assemble in their state capitals to cast their ballots. In the beginning of January, the Congress meets in a joint session to count the electoral votes. On January 20th, the president is sworn into office by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. One of the hallmarks of America is the peaceful transfer of power from the outgoing president, or “lame duck,” to the president-elect. Presidential transitions have existed in one form or another since 1797, when George Washington handed over the presidency to John Adams. Inauguration Day is highly symbolic and steeped in ceremony and tradition. Click here to watch the video about Inauguration Day.Why is the inauguration of the president a powerful and symbolic moment for the American people?What customs and traditions take place during Inauguration Day that convey continuity in our government?What significance is placed on the presence of the U.S. Supreme Court Justice during the inauguration?Why is it customary for the president to place his hand on the Bible while he takes the oath of office?What is the importance of the inaugural address?Now, click on this link to watch the report on the inauguration of Donald Trump. What are your impressions? ................
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