Answer Close-Reading Questions
Have students write their responses, or use the Close-Reading Questions to guide a discussion.
• What’s the difference between primaries and caucuses? Why do they matter? (Domain-Specific Vocabulary)
In a primary, voters can go to the polls or use the mail to cast a secret ballot. In a caucus, voters gather in a public place and talk about the party’s candidates before they vote. Both types of contests are important because they allow voters to participate in the presidential election process and help determine who will become the official nominees for the two main political parties.
• When is Election Day? What happens between then and the inauguration? (Sequencing Events)
This year, Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. That’s the last chance for voters to cast a ballot for president, the House of Representatives, some Senate seats, and other offices. For president and vice president, voters technically choose electors, who gather on Tuesday, December 17, to cast the official votes. On January 6, Congress counts the electoral votes and formally announces the winner. The president doesn’t start the new four-year presidential term until the inauguration on January 20, when they take the oath of office.
• How does the map support the article? (Text Features)
The map supports the article by showing when each state is holding its contests, starting on January 15 and ending on June 4. It reveals that primaries are more common. Three states have only caucuses, and six states have a primary and a caucus.