AGENDA: Tues 11/1 Wed 11/2 Journal Entry 17: Electoral Collage Video Electoral College: Tie-breakers Homework: Congressmember Assignment (Part A, B and C) DUE Monday/Tuesday 11/7-8

Journal Entry #17: ELECTORAL COLLEGE http://www. c-spanclassroom Why does Mr. Simon suggest that the Electoral College process is problematic? Which recent election does Mr. Simon cite? What were the results of this election? Did one candidate win both the Popular Vote and the Electoral College? Explain.    According to Mr. Simon, why do Presidential Candidates only visit and campaign in certain states? Do you believe it is important for candidates to campaign in the other states too? Why or why not?    What is the significance of 270 Electoral College votes? What is the fewest number of states that a candidate could win in order to accumulate 270 votes?

Voters Straight ticket: (also called straight-party voting) allows voters to choose a party’s entire slate of candidates with just a single ballot marking. Voters make one punch or mark on the ballot in order to vote for every candidate of that party for each office on the ballot.

Voters Split-ticket: A ballot on which not all votes have been cast for candidates of the same party. A ticket on which not all the candidates nominated by a party are members of the party. Independent: Political choices, by definition, were made based on issues and candidates (lack of party affiliation).

http://www.electoral-vote.com

Homework: DUE Monday/Tuesday 11/7-8 Research and write about one of the members of Congress from your district or one of the senators from California, one of the bills s/he has introduced, and write a letter to the member regarding a current issue. ALL 3 PARTS ( A, B & C) DUE MONDAY/Tuesday 11/7-8!!!!!!!

Part A: Member Biography (20 points) Use www.house.gov or www.senate.gov to find information. Brief description of person’s background and their political career, how long they have served in Congress, what they did before politics, education, family, overview of constituents they represent, and any other interesting information you would like to include. Short description of what committee(s) the member serves on and any major achievements they may have accomplished or are attempting to accomplish while in office. ( 1 – 1 ½ pages)

Part B: Description of Proposed Legislation: 20 points Description of one current, proposed bill the member has introduced into the 114th term of Congress (1st session 2015- 2017). Include when it was written, what the bill is about, and where it is in the process of becoming a law. Use http://thomas.loc.gov to help you. Copy or link to the first page of the proposed bill to receive any credit. Be careful to select legislation not resolutions. 1 – 1 ½ pages

Part C: Write a letter to your Congressmen (30 points) Write a FORMAL letter to the member you have been researching. The topic of the letter needs to be focused on a current, national issue. Include the following: Your understanding of the problem, what you would like to see done about it, and ask (respectfully) what the member plans on doing about the issue.