HOT SEAT POLITICS: ELECTION EDITION
What You Should Know About Politics… But Don’t
Chapter 1 – Elections
Objective
Students will:
Demonstrate real understanding of Chapter 1
Explain election concepts clearly
Defend ideas against realistic disagreement
Practice persuasive, evidence-based discussion
CONCEPT CARDS
CARD 1 — Voter Turnout
Explain why voter turnout in the United States is lower than in many other democracies. Use at least one reason from the chapter.
CARD 2 — Electoral College
Explain what the Electoral College actually does and why it exists. Include one benefit and one criticism discussed in the chapter.
CARD 3 — Swing States
Explain why swing states receive so much attention during presidential elections and how that affects voters in non-swing states.
CARD 4 — Barriers to Voting
Explain one structural or legal barrier that makes voting harder for some Americans. Be specific.
CARD 5 — Registration Laws
Explain how voter registration rules affect who actually ends up voting in elections.
CARD 6 — Primaries vs. Caucuses
Explain the difference between primaries and caucuses and why this difference matters.
CARD 7 — Demographics & Voting
Explain how age, income, or education level affects voter turnout, according to the chapter.
CARD 8 — “My Vote Doesn’t Matter”
Explain why people feel their vote doesn’t matter and whether the chapter supports or challenges that belief.
CARD 9 — Political Culture
Explain how political culture (trust, habit, expectations) affects voter participation.
CARD 10 — Election Complexity
Explain why elections are more complicated than “just showing up and voting.”
CHALLENGE CARDS:
CHALLENGE A
“Okay, but that just sounds like an excuse. People who want to vote will find a way.”
CHALLENGE B
“That might be true in theory, but I’ve never seen that happen in real life.”
CHALLENGE C
“So what? Other countries aren’t the U.S. — that comparison doesn’t matter.”
CHALLENGE D
“Isn’t that really just about personal responsibility?”
CHALLENGE E
“That sounds biased. Who decides that’s actually a problem?”
CHALLENGE F
“Why should we change the system just because some people don’t vote?”
CHALLENGE G
“That might have been true in the past, but it doesn’t apply anymore.”
CHALLENGE H
“So what’s the alternative? Are you saying the system is broken?”
CHALLENGE I
“That still doesn’t explain why I should care.”
CHALLENGE J
“Isn’t this just politics being overcomplicated?”
HOW THE ACTIVITY RUNS
ROUND STRUCTURE (Repeat 3–4 times)
Groups draw 1 Concept Card
Group gets 4 minutes to prepare
Use the chapter
Decide who will be in the Hot Seat
Hot Seat Student explains the concept
60–90 seconds
Teacher or another group draws a Challenge Card
Hot Seat student must respond immediately
Must reference the chapter
Must phrase response as if explaining to someone who disagrees
Optional Rule (Highly Effective)
Before responding, the student must start with:
“If I were explaining this to someone who disagrees, I’d say…”
FINAL SYNTHESIS (10 minutes)
After final round:
Each group answers:
Which concept was hardest to defend?
Which challenge question was toughest?
Whole-class discussion:
Which explanations felt most convincing?
Which disagreements were hardest to answer?
EXIT TICKET
“Which challenge question exposed a weakness in your understanding, and how did the chapter help you answer it?”