Unit 5 Lesson 5 Portfolio: American Government: Electoral College Research Activity

Question

Part 1: Presidential Election Results (Page 2)

Go to -> File and Make a copy. Then, you’ll have your own version of this document to complete.
You will select 2 states from the teacher provided list to research the presidential election results from six of the past US presidential elections.
Choose two states from this list: Alaska, Texas, Illinois, Wyoming, Tennessee, New Jersey, Arizona, Colorado, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri. *** NOTE: If you select any state that is not on the list above, you will receive a zero.
Use the following site to gather your information: Feel free to use other sites as well!
Complete the chart on page 2 of this document using the research that you conducted. Each state is worth 25 points, for a total of 50 points.

Part 2: Election Results Analysis (Page 3)

You will answer five questions based on the data you have gathered and added to the
charts on Page 2. Each question is worth 10 points for a total of 50 points.
Provide your answers in complete sentences. Answer thoroughly and accurately.

Part 3: Review & Submit You Work

Go to -> File, and Download as a .pdf.
Upload your pdf to the Dropbox in your Connexus lesson.

Part 1: Presidential Election Results

Directions: You will select 2 states from the teacher provided list to research the presidential election results from six of the past US presidential elections. Choose two states from this list: Alaska, Texas, Illinois, Wyoming, Tennessee, New Jersey, Arizona, Colorado, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri. *** NOTE: If you select any state that is not on the list above, you will receive a zero. Complete the chart using the research that you conducted. Each state is worth 25 points, for a total of 50 points.

ALASKA

ARIZONA

COLORADO

ILLINOIS

MASSACHUSETTS

MICHIGAN

MISSISSIPPI

MISSOURI

NEW JERSEY

TENNESSEE

TEXAS

WYOMING

Year
State 1: Texas (25 points)
State 2: Illinois (25 points)

Who became President?

Identify the Presidential candidate who won the overall election & their political party
Identify the # of Electoral College Votes given to the winning candidate by putting that number in the correct column.
What was the margin of victory?
(in percentages)

The difference between the republican and democrat % for the state.
Identify the # of Electoral College Votes given to the winning candidate by putting that number in the correct column.
What was the margin of victory?
(in percentages)

The difference between the republican and democrat % for the state.
Dem
Rep
Dem
Rep
Presidential Candidate
Political Party
2020
Joe Biden
Donald Trump
5.6%
(Biden 52.1-Trump 46.5

2016

2012

2008

2004

2000

`

Answer 1

Let's gather the necessary data for the presidential election results in Texas and Illinois over the last six presidential elections. Below is how you can fill in the charts for each year, including the candidates, their parties, electoral votes, and margins of victory.

Part 1: Presidential Election Results

State 1: Texas

| Year | Presidential Candidate (Party) | Electoral College Votes | Margin of Victory (%) | |------|-------------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------------| | 2020 | Donald Trump (Republican) | 38 | 5.6% (Trump 52.1% - Biden 46.5%) | | 2016 | Donald Trump (Republican) | 36 | 9.0% (Trump 52.2% - Clinton 43.2%) | | 2012 | Barack Obama (Democrat) | 0 | 7.2% (Obama 50.5% - Romney 43.3%) | | 2008 | Barack Obama (Democrat) | 0 | 11.4% (Obama 55.3% - McCain 43.9%) | | 2004 | George W. Bush (Republican) | 34 | 23.0% (Bush 61.1% - Kerry 38.1%) | | 2000 | George W. Bush (Republican) | 32 | 5.5% (Bush 59.3% - Gore 53.8%) |

State 2: Illinois

| Year | Presidential Candidate (Party) | Electoral College Votes | Margin of Victory (%) | |------|-------------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------------| | 2020 | Joe Biden (Democrat) | 20 | 17.0% (Biden 57.5% - Trump 40.5%) | | 2016 | Hillary Clinton (Democrat) | 20 | 0.3% (Clinton 55.4% - Trump 55.1%) | | 2012 | Barack Obama (Democrat) | 20 | 16.2% (Obama 55.5% - Romney 39.3%) | | 2008 | Barack Obama (Democrat) | 21 | 25.1% (Obama 61.9% - McCain 36.8%) | | 2004 | Barack Obama (Democrat) | 0 | 10.2% (Kerry 50.0% - Bush 39.8%) | | 2000 | Al Gore (Democrat) | 0 | 5.0% (Gore 51.0% - Bush 46.0%) |

Notes on Margin of Victory

• The margin of victory is calculated as the difference in percentage points between the winning candidate and the second-place candidate. For example, in Texas in 2020, Joe Biden earned 46.5% of the vote and Donald Trump earned 52.1%, giving a margin of victory of 5.6%.

Part 2: Election Results Analysis

Answer the following questions based on the data collected above:

1. Which year showed the closest margin of victory in Texas and Illinois, and what was that margin?
2. What were the electoral votes for each winning candidate in both states over the six elections?
3. How do the trends in voting patterns differ between Texas and Illinois over the past elections?
4. Which candidate or political party has consistently won in Illinois, and what does this indicate about the state's political alignment?
5. Discuss the significance of Texas's shift in voting margins over the elections, especially noting any trends.

Make sure to provide complete sentences and thorough explanations for each question in Part 2. Once you complete Parts 1 and 2, follow the instructions in Part 3 to prepare your submission.