Grade 8 · Social Studies

8th grade How elections work, and how the Electoral College chooses a president worksheet

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

Grade 8 Social Studies Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

1.
In 1800, why did no one win outright, Ari asks?
- Congress refused to count the votes
- Jefferson and Burr tied with 73
- Adams won 73 votes
- Too few electors cast their votes
2.
Who chose the President after the 1800 tie, Bo asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- The Senate
- The House of Representatives
- A new popular vote held across the country
- The Supreme Court
3.
In the first House vote, how many delegations chose Jefferson, Esme asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- 2
- 73
- 10
- 4
4.
By the 12th Amendment line, what must a winner have, Kira asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- The Senate's approval
- Votes from three different states
- More votes than any other one person
- A majority of the electors appointed
5.
With no majority, how many names may the House choose among, by the line, Luz asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- Up to three
- Each person voted for
- Five
- Two
6.
Why did the 12th Amendment matter after 1800, Milo asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- It let the Senate pick the President
- Electors now voted for the two offices separately
- It ended the Electoral College
- It gave the District of Columbia 3 electors
7.
In 1824, did Jackson's 99 votes reach a majority, Noah asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- Yes; 99 was the most votes
- No; a majority was 131
- Yes; a majority was 84
- No; a majority was 270
8.
In 1824, how many electoral votes did the four candidates get together, Ren asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- 538
- 131
- 261
- 99
9.
A note says, 'In 1824 the candidate with the most electoral votes became President.' What fix does Tala make?
Use the picture in question 1.
- Keep it; the note is right
- Say that the Senate chose Jackson
- Change 1824 to 1800
- Jackson led, but the House chose Adams
10.
Which claim about 1800 and 1824 is careful, Zee asks?
Use the picture in question 1.
- Both used today's 538 electors
- Both had a clear electoral majority
- Both times, the House chose the President
- Both times, the Senate chose the President

8th grade How elections work, and how the Electoral College chooses a president worksheet – printable — Print: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

How elections work, and how the Electoral College chooses a president. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

I can follow the steps of a presidential election, from primaries to the count in Congress, and tell open from closed primaries.
I can explain how a state's electors come from its House seats and senators, using the 2020 Census counts.
I can read the 1800 and 1824 results and explain why the House chose the President, using the 12th Amendment.

Standard: D2.Civ.2.6-8 (partial)

Common mistakes

Your child read a different box. Find the box the question names first.

Your child mixed up the branches. Match each job to the box that holds it.

Your child picked another date on the sheet. Find the event the question names, then read its date.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with how elections work, and how the electoral college chooses a president?

Your child read a different box. Find the box the question names first.

Are these 8th grade social studies worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.

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