IT’S FINALLY OFFICIAL: THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS HAS COME TO AN END!
HELLO EVERYONE, I’M RICK JACKSON. THANKS FOR JOINING US – AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
YOU PROBABLY THOUGHT THE ELECTION ENDED IN THE WEE HOURS OF NOVEMBER 8TH, WHEN THE MEDIA ANNOUNCED THAT DONALD TRUMP HAD REACHED THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF VOTES TO BECOME OUR 45TH PRESIDENT. BUT THESE ELECTION RESULTS WERE NOT ‘OFFICIALLY’ RECOGNIZED BY OUR GOVERNMENT. UNTIL THE VOTES OF THE ELECTORS WERE COUNTED.
ON DECEMBER 19TH, THE ELECTORS – THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH STATE WHO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT -- MET AROUND THE COUNTRY – INCLUDING IN COLUMBUS - TO OFFICIALLY CAST THEIR BALLOTS. THE SIGNED BALLOTS WERE GATHERED AND TAKEN TO WASHINGTON, D.C., WHERE JUST LAST WEEK, THEY WERE COUNTED; IN AN OFFICIAL CEREMONY DURING A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS.
CONGRESS, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE, IS THE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT THAT MAKES LAWS, APPROVES PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS….AND CERTIFIES THE VOTES OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE TO ELECT THE PRESIDENT, LIKE THEY DID ON JANUARY 6TH.
JOE BIDEN, AS THE CURRENT VICE PRESIDENT, LED THE PROCEEDINGS.
[CLIP – JOE BIDEN BITE]
BUT, THE ELECTION DRAMA SPILLED INTO THE TYPICALLY ORDERLY SESSION, AS SOME DEMOCRATS RAISED OBJECTIONS.
[CLIP]
Instructional Links
Presidential Election Finally Over
Website Article: National Archives and Records Administration, What are the Roles and Responsibilities of the Designated Parties in the Electoral College Process? | E xplanation of Electoral College and the Role of U.S. Congress in the Election
Website Article: U.S. House of Representatives, Electoral College Fast Facts | History of Electoral College and the Role of U.S. Congress
Teacher Resources: C-SPAN, Should the Electoral College Be Reformed? | Includes lesson plans, classroom materials & activities
Website Article: Newsela, Countless Challenges: After 230 Years, Electoral College Creates Divisions | Versions in various reading levels provides with writing prompt & quiz
Website Article: Congress for Kids, The Legislative Branch | Interactive site on Congress
Interactive Learning Module: Kids in the House, Around the Capitol | Information and tour