Government & Elections Resources, Lesson Plans & More

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?

High School

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U.S. Elections in Context

How does the U.S. electoral system work?

High School

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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 Primaries and Caucuses

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

High School

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Voting by Mail

Available for Middle & High School

Should all states conduct elections entirely by mail?

Middle School High School

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The Electoral College

Available for Middle & High School

Should states join the National Popular Vote pact?

Middle School High School

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Voter ID Laws

Available for Middle & High School

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

Middle School High School

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Understanding the Media

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

High School

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Gerrymandering

Should the federal government mandate that states end partisan gerrymandering?

High School

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Youth Voting

Available for Middle & High School

Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

Middle School High School

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2022 Midterm Elections

Available for Middle & High School

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

Middle School High School

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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

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Electoral College Certification

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

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Shaping the Future of Information, Technology & Media

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

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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.