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Lesson Plan: Debating the Electoral College
By Rachel Roberson
Featured resources
The Lowdown: Time to Graduate from the
Electoral College?
Video: This Proposal Calls for Popular Vote to
Determine a Winner (PBS NewsHour, 7:04)
Video: How the Electoral College Works (CGP Gray,
4:42)
Opening quick write prompt:
What do you already know about the Electoral College and how it works? Why has the Electoral College
been in the news following the 2016 election?
A quick write allows students to write down their thoughts before discussing the opening question in order to
increase participation and make the discussion more accessible to English Language Learners.
Objective
Students will analyze role of the Electoral College in U.S. elections both historically and in the
aftermath of the 2016 Election.
Students will debate whether the Electoral College system should be reformed, and discuss ideas
for potential changes.
Essential Question and Lesson Context
What are the origins of the Electoral College and what is its place in American politics? Does the
Electoral College limit or further democracy?
For only the fifth time in American history, a presidential candidate won the election without winning
the majority of the popular vote. In this lesson, students explore the origins of the Electoral College and
evaluate the calls to change what many describe as outdated and undemocratic.
Key vocabulary
Pre-teach key vocabulary before students do the activity, especially if you have English Language Learners. After
going over the simple definition, consider providing a visual aid or having students draw one. More ideas for how to
pre-teach vocabulary can be found here.