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The following activity by ICivics introduces students to the process of selecting and electing a candidate based on issues and positions. Awesome activity during an election season.
Cast Your Vote: Actively read the information presented in the activity.
Complete the activity 3 times to earn acheivement points!
Achievement points:
Just One More Thing (need to play 3 games) Ask the candidates 15 questions.
The Opinionator (play the game at least 2 time) Pick the candidate whose views best match yours at least 2 times.
Assessment:
The following activity by ICivics introduces students to the process of selecting and electing a candidate based on issues and positions. Awesome activity during an election season.
Cast Your Vote:
Actively read the information presented in the activity. Your grade will be based on how well you complete the activity.
What issues do you want to ask candidates about? In Cast Your Vote, you choose the questions in a debate, rate their responses, and vote for the candidate of your choice.
Moderator: Debate on the issues.
“As the moderator, I will introduce 5 topics. I will take one audience question for each topic.”
“You’ll decide which candidate you agree with on the issue – and how important the issue is!” “But pay attention, because you’ll be voting for one of the candidates in the election… and you should base your vote on the issues you find most important.” (How closely you vote to the most important issues is part of your point total and final grade.)
Topic: Recreation Stressed out voters want to relax and have fun. Let’s talk about recreation…
- What should be the focus of our outdoor recreation programs?
- How will you help us get new playground equipment for our local park?
- How will you provide more things for kids to do outside?
Candidate #1: I will work with the recreation program to offer more arts, sports, and other activities at our community center!
Candidate #2: I will work with community groups to create opportunities for kids to volunteer and learn new skills.
Topic: Litter Litter can really make a mess. Are there any questions in the audience about litter?
- What will you do about all of the litter along our roads?
- How will you increase recycling in our community?
- Do you have a plan to help prevent littering?
Candidate #1: We need a mandatory program so people aren’t allowed to put recycling items in the trash.
Candidate #2: We should reward recycling companies that develop easier ways for people to recycle.
Topic: Voting Citizens are concerned about the right to vote. What do your candidate’s think?
- Should legal residents who are not U/S. citizens be allowed to vote in local elections?
- Do you support letting people cast their ballots before election day? ?
- Should people have to show a photo ID before they vote?
Candidate #1: A photo ID proves the person has a legal right to vote.
Candidate #2: Getting a photo ID can be difficult for many people, so this extra step would keep some voters away.
Topic: Smoking
- Would you support a ban on smoking in public places?
- What would you do to help people quit smoking?
- How can we prevent kids from smoking?
Candidate #1: Raising the tax on cigarettes would make them more expensive, so fewer kids would buy them.
Candidate #2: Making it illegal to smoke under the age of 21 would help keep kids away from harmful cigarettes.
Moderator: Okay! Remember what you decided as the candidates discuss the next topic.
Topic: Health Everyone wants to stay healthy. How will the candidates help.
- What will you do to prevent people from getting sick?
- How will you encourage people to make healthy choices?
- What will you do for people who can’t afford medical care?
Candidate #1: I will make it easier for people who need medical care to access government health benefits.
Candidate #2: I will make it more affordable for people who need medical care to buy private insurance.
Topic: Recreation Stressed out voters want to relax and have fun. Let’s talk about recreation…
- What should be the focus of our outdoor recreation programs?
- How will you help us get new playground equipment for our local park?
- How will you provide more things for kids to do outside?
Candidate #1: I will work with the recreation program to offer more arts, sports, and other activities at our community center!
Candidate #2:I will work with community groups to create opportunities for kids to volunteer and learn new skills.
Topic: Schools How can we make schools more awesome? Let’s ask the candidates their views.
- What will you do to prevent bullying in our schools?
- How will you help kids who are struggling in our schools?
- How can we make school lunches both healthy and delicious?
Candidate #1: Schools need effective anti-bullying programs. Both teachers and students need better training
Candidate #2: We need laws to make bullying a crime! Both bullies and their parents should be held accountable.
Topic: Pollution Voters want clean air and water. Do the candidates have a “pollution solution?”
- What will you do to reduce air pollution in our community?
- How can we keep dangerous chemicals out of the drinking water?
- Will you support laws to protect our wetlands? (Both Support)
Candidate #1: Yes. Wetlands naturally store and filter water, saving us the cost of expensive storage and filtering systems.
Candidate #2: Yes. Wetlands naturally store and filter water, saving us the cost of expensive storage and filtering systems.
Topic: Safety Let’s hear the candidates’ ideas about keeping citizens safe and secure.
- What will you do to support of police department?
- How will you work to reduce accidents on our roads?
- How do you plan to reduce crimes in our neighborhoods?
Candidate #1: More police on patrol and better street lights should make our streets safer!
Candidate #2: Harsher sentences for criminals will cause crime rates to drop.
Topic: Pets Lots of people love animals. Do we have any questions about pets?
- How will you help us get a new dog park?
- What will you do to help homeless pets?
- What kinds of animals should people be able to keep as pets?
Candidate #1: I will support using money from the Parks and Recreation Department’s budget to build a 21st century dog park!
Candidate #2: If people and business donate land and money for a new dog park, I’ll make it easy to get building permits.
Candidate #1: More police on patrol and better street lights should make our streets safer!
Candidate #2: Harsher sentences for criminals will cause crime rates to drop.
The debate! Who will you choose?
Choose the questions to ask the candidates.
Select the answer you agree with. (Some are the same.)
Select level of importance. (very important, medium importance, low importance)
Topics: Taxes and government spending
Moderator: A lot of people run their own businesses, but it isn’t easy. Can the candidates help?
Do you have a plan to make it easier to start a business?
What would you do to help small businesses succeed?
How will you help businesses owners follow all the complex rules and laws?