How We Pick Our President
Thank you for signing up! Below you’ll find election resources, along with the downloadable guide to help you and your students grasp the historical evolution of voting rights and the role of the Electoral College in U.S. presidential elections.
Who Gets to Vote?
In the early days of the United States, voting rights were very limited. Initially only white men who owned property and were at least 21 years of age were allowed to vote. However, over time, significant changes expanded voting rights.
- In 1870 the 15th amendment granted black male citizens the right to vote, just as the 13th Amendment abolished slavery and the 14th Amendment granted birthright citizenship to freed slaves (see the video on History.com).
- In 1920 the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote, which was a significant milestone towards gender equality (see the video on History.com).
- In 1971 the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 (see the video at PBS.org).
The Electoral College (Explained to Kids)
To understand how the U.S. elects its president, it is important to know about the Electoral College. Watch the video titled “Does Your Vote Count? The Electoral College Explained” by Christina Greer, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Fordham University. This video provides a clear and engaging overview of how the Electoral College works.
Primary Sources on the Electoral College
For a deeper understanding of the electoral college, read Article 2, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution (read here).
- Pay close attention to Clauses 2 and 4, where “electors” are mentioned.
- Also, pay attention to Clause 3. This was later amended by the 12th Amendment.
Why Keep the Electoral College? (For Older Kids)
Why did the framers of the Constitution create the Electoral College, and why do some people want to change or abolish it? The videos below offer insights into the historical reasons behind the Electoral College system and the debates surrounding its future.
