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GOVERNMENT & ELECTIONS

Background and Context

These Government & Elections resources will help students develop a thorough understanding and make connections between historical events, current conversations, and current policy proposals surrounding the issue. This section includes all of the context and content previously included in Close Up’s public policy chapters.  

 

U.S. Government in Context

What are the ideas and institutions that make up U.S. government? Learn More >

U.S. Elections in Context

How does the U.S. electoral system work? Learn More >

Current Issue Debates

Current Issue Debates are framed by a central question and followed by historical context, an overview of both sides of the topic, and discussion questions to facilitate deliberation in the classroom.

 

2024 Election Toolkit

Access resources on the candidates, the issues, and electoral processes! Learn More >

2024 Primaries and Caucuses

Should Iowa and New Hampshire have first-in-the-nation voting status? Learn More >

Voting by Mail

Available for Middle & High School

Should all states conduct elections entirely by mail? Learn More >

The Electoral College

Available for Middle & High School

Should states join the National Popular Vote pact? Learn More >

Voter ID Laws

Available for Middle & High School

Should states require voters to present a government-approved ID? Learn More >

Understanding the Media

When we refer to “the media,” what do we mean? Learn More >

Gerrymandering

Should the federal government mandate that states end partisan gerrymandering? Learn More >

Youth Voting

Available for Middle & High School

Should the voting age be lowered to 16? Learn More >

2022 Midterm Elections

Available for Middle & High School

What are midterm elections and what's at stake in 2022? Learn More >

Videos from Policymakers

Brought to you by ASP HOMEROOM, through a collaboration between Close Up Foundation and A Starting Point, these supplemental videos are an introduction to policy areas that provide an opportunity for students to hear different perspectives directly from lawmakers.

 

Voting Rights

State Representatives Jasmine Clark (D-GA) & Robert Dickey (R-GA) 
April 16, 2021

Electoral College Certification

Congressman Jodey Arrington (R-TX)
January 6, 2021

Shaping the Future of Information, Technology & Media

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
October 26, 2020

Lesson Plans

These ready-to-use Government & Elections lesson plans can be utilized in conjunction with any of our resources to enhance the quality of student discourse in the classroom. Our supplemental Civic Readiness Guide provides a recommended lesson plan sequence for using our Current Issues resources.

 

Additional & Archived Resources on Government & Elections

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Building Bridges – The National Political Party Convention

Podcast | October 5, 2020

This episode of Building Bridges looks at the history of the national political parties’ conventions going back to the first Democratic Convention in Baltimore in 1832 and the first Republican Convention in Philadelphia in 1856. This podcast highlights some of the most famous and infamous moments over that long and often politically turbulent history.


Voting Rights: From the Civil War to the Present

Videos | October 1, 2020

During this seminar, available on-demand, Close Up’s, Joe Geraghty, discusses ‘Voting Rights: From the Civil War to the Present’ with Dr. Frank Smith and Dawn Chitty from the African American Civic War Museum.  


Trump and Biden

Election 2020: Guides for Watching and Discussing the Debates

Post | September 23, 2020

There are three presidential debates scheduled for September 29, October 15, and October 22, as well as a vice presidential debate taking place on October 7. For many voters, the debates are the best chance to see the differences between the candidates as they decide how to cast their vote in November. Campaigns put a […]


Gender, Politics, & The Media

Videos | September 17, 2020

During this seminar, available on-demand, Close Up’s, Chief Development Officer, Mia Charity discusses ‘Leadership & Media Engagement in the Digital Age’ with David Almacy, Founder of CapitalGig LLC. Learn about the power of media in politics!


Summer Round-Up #2: Campaigns, Conventions, and the Race to Election Day

Post | August 31, 2020

Over the course of the summer, the 2020 election has taken shape. Most primaries for congressional office have concluded, and the parties and presidential candidates were able to showcase their respective visions during their conventions. In this second summer round-up, we take a look at the state of the 2020 election. Our first summer round-up […]


Leadership & Media Engagement in the Digital Age

Videos | June 16, 2020

During this seminar, available on-demand, Close Up’s, Chief Development Officer, Mia Charity discusses ‘Leadership & Media Engagement in the Digital Age’ with David Almacy, Founder of CapitalGig LLC. Learn about the power of media in politics!


George Floyd

Protests, Riots, Justice, and the Rule of Law

Post | June 4, 2020

On Monday, May 25, a Minneapolis police officer named Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for over eight minutes.1 The next day, video of the killing went viral; by the end of the day, large groups had begun protesting in Minneapolis. In the week since, protests have spread to many major […]


COVID-19 and Political Reform

Videos | May 20, 2020

During this seminar, available on-demand, Close Up’s, Joe Geraghty discusses ‘COVID-19 and Political Reform’ with John Milewski, Director of Digital Programming & Managing Editor and Host of the Wilson Center ON DEMAND from Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.  John speaks with Joe about government funding and political reform in the wake of COVID-19 in regards to health care, education and business. 


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