1. 2004 Presidential Election
George W. Bush vs. John Kerry

2. Let’s Meet the Candidates

3. George W. Bush Elected president in 2000 and 2004
Former governor of Texas
Former owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team
Father (George Bush) was president from
Has twin daughters, and is married to Laura Bush
Enjoys pets and fishing
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4. John Kerry Senator from Massachusetts Married to Teresa Heinz Kerry
Served time in the United States Military and won several medals for his service

5. Presidential Elections
Citizens who are registered may vote in a presidential election on the first Tuesday, after the first Monday, in November. This occurs every four years.
Each state in the U.S. holds the election on the same day.
The number of votes a candidate receives is called the popular vote.
The winner of each state’s election gets that state’s electoral votes.
A candidate needs to get 270 electoral votes to become President of the United States.

6. Popular Vote
Popular vote is the actual number of votes a candidate receives from voters
Each state has an election and the winner of the popular vote gets that state’s electoral votes
Popular vote does not guarantee victory in a presidential election

7. Popular Vote for 2004 Presidential Election
George Bush 62,040,606 votes
John Kerry 59,028,109 votes
Others also received votes, but not a significant amount
Vote Percentage
Information obtained from CNN.com

8. Electoral Votes
Each State has a certain amount of electoral votes depending on the state’s population
A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to become President of the United States
There are 538 total electoral votes

9. 2004 Electoral Votes John Kerry received 252 electoral votes
George Bush received 286 electoral votes
George Bush received more than 270 electoral votes, so he won the presidency

10. 2004 Electoral Map Bush Kerry

11. Bush Wins!
George W. Bush won re-election in 2004 and was inaugurated in January 2005
George Bush takes the oath of office at the Capitol

12. Something to Think About..
What is your opinion of how the country elects its leader?
What would happen if the country no longer had a popular vote?
How does this system compare to electing the governors of each state?