ELECTION NIGHT Project 2012

Directions: While watching Election Night coverage on November 6, 2012, complete the following activities both on election night and in the following days. This activity will count as your 2nd quarter project (test-grade).
1. 2. Locate a 2012 Electoral College Map with current 2012 electoral votes for each state. Print multiple copies of the map to use on election night. Select two different times on election night that you will check the finalized and awarded Electoral College votes for the Presidential Election on the election map. Remember you must wait until polls close in individual states before electoral votes are awarded. Make sure your time checks are at least 30 minutes apart. (i.e. 1st check 8:00pm EST; 2nd check 9:00pm EST)
a.

After each check of the election results map, color the map according to blue states versus red states. Make sure to include a key of candidate colors, the time you recorded the votes, and total electoral votes awarded to each candidate at that time.

3. 4.

After Election Day, create a final map of the Electoral College votes awarded for the 2012 Presidential Election including a key and final electoral votes awarded to each candidate. To analyze the electoral results, answer the following questions:
a. Using a map of the 2008 Presidential Election Electoral Map, compare the 2008 map to the 2012 map you created. In at least one paragraph, analyze the similarities and differences. What states changed their political affiliation? Research the battleground states who won them? What candidate was the first to 270 for each election? Research past presidential elections. Find at least one presidential election where the candidate won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College vote and therefore the election. How was this possible? Evaluate the effectiveness of the Electoral College system. In at least one paragraph, explain the role of social media in elections today. How has social media changed campaigning? How did it help or hurt the 2012 election? What role do you think social media will play when you begin voting in just a few years?

b. c.

PROJECT OPTION DUE ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15th! (FIVE points of extra credit!!!)

ELECTION NIGHT Project 2012

Directions: While watching Election Night coverage on November 6, 2012, complete the following activities both on election night and in the following days. This activity will count as your 2nd quarter project (test-grade).
1. 2. Locate a 2012 Electoral College Map with current 2012 electoral votes for each state. Print multiple copies of the map to use on election night. Select two different times on election night that you will check the finalized and awarded Electoral College votes for the Presidential Election on the election map. Remember you must wait until polls close in individual states before electoral votes are awarded. Make sure your time checks are at least 30 minutes apart. (i.e. 1st check 8:00pm EST; 2nd check 9:00pm EST)
a.

After each check of the election results map, color the map according to blue states versus red states. Make sure to include a key of candidate colors, the time you recorded the votes, and total electoral votes awarded to each candidate at that time.

3. 4.

After Election Day, create a final map of the Electoral College votes awarded for the 2012 Presidential Election including a key and final electoral votes awarded to each candidate. To analyze the electoral results, answer the following questions:
a. Using a map of the 2008 Presidential Election Electoral Map, compare the 2008 map to the 2012 map you created. In at least one paragraph, analyze the similarities and differences. What states changed their political affiliation? Research the battleground states who won them? What candidate was the first to 270 for each election? Research past presidential elections. Find at least one presidential election where the candidate won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College vote and therefore the election. How was this possible? Evaluate the effectiveness of the Electoral College system. In at least one paragraph, explain the role of social media in elections today. How has social media changed campaigning? How did it help or hurt the 2012 election? What role do you think social media will play when you begin voting in just a few years?

b. c.

PROJECT OPTION DUE ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15th! (FIVE points of extra credit!!!)