How elections work, and how the Electoral College chooses a president

Grade 8 Social Studies Worksheet - Building Confidence

Circle the best answer.

2. 1.

   In Ari's flow chart, which step comes first?

   • Congress's count
   • Primaries and caucuses
   • The general election in November
   • The electors' votes
3. 2.

   When is the general election, Bo asks?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • January 20 of the next year
   • Early September, when the national conventions meet
   • January 6, when Congress meets
   • The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
4. 3.

   In a closed primary, who can vote, Esme asks?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • Members of Congress
   • Voters registered with that party
   • Any voter in the state, in any party or in no party
   • The electors from December
5. 4.

   In an open primary, who can take part, Jun asks?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • Delegates sent from other states
   • The electors, no one else
   • Registered members of that party, no one else
   • Voters not registered with the party too
6. 5.

   What do the national conventions do, Kira asks?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • Swear in the new President on January 20
   • Count the electoral votes
   • Hold the general election
   • Each party chooses its candidate
7. 6.

   When is the new President sworn in, Milo asks?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • In December
   • January 6
   • In early September
   • January 20
8. 7.

   Where do the electors cast their votes, Noah asks?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • At the Supreme Court
   • At the national conventions
   • In the House chamber
   • In their own states
9. 8.

   By the arrows, what decides which party's electors are appointed, Pia asks?

   Use the picture in question 1.

   • The President's own choice
   • The state's popular vote in November
   • The delegates at the conventions
   • Congress's count in January
10. 9.

    Why are primaries held before the conventions, Ren asks?

    Use the picture in question 1.

    • They award the delegates
    • They count the electoral votes
    • They replace the general election
    • They swear in the President
11. 10.

    Which step comes right after the general election, Tala asks?

    Use the picture in question 1.

    • Primaries and caucuses
    • The national conventions
    • The electors meet and vote
    • The inauguration on January 20