Analyze local and state midterm elections

Overview: As they tour around the country in a last minute effort to garner votes, Democratic and Republican political leaders spar over a host of issues. However, they do agree on one point: Tuesday's midterm election is important.

ELECTION RESOURCES • Partner Resource - Harcourt: Holt, Rinehart and Winston’s American Government  • AOL@School: Election Guide 2002  • AOL: Election Guide 2002  • CNN.com: Election 2002  • Turner Learning: Your Choice, Your Voice: The Voter  • National Student/Parent Mock Election  • Federal Election Commission  • FEC Watch  • League of Women Voters  • opensecrets.org: Your Guide to the Money in U.S. Elections  • Project Vote Smart

1. What is a midterm election? What major offices are at stake in this year's midterm election? How often are congressional representatives and senators elected? Despite the fact that there is no presidential race, why are political analysts watching today's elections very closely?

2. Of the 100 senators, how many are Republicans, Democrats or independent? How did the recent death of Senator Paul Wellstone affect those numbers? How many Senate seats are up for grabs? Based on the political parties of the senators who currently hold those seats, how might today's election affect the overall numbers of democrats and republicans in the Senate? Why do you think so many politicians and analysts are focusing primarily on the Senate elections?

3. Of the current 435 congressional representatives, how many seats are contested? Which political party currently holds the majority of seats in the House of Representatives? When was the last time the Democrats controlled the House? What is an incumbent? What is the difference between a seat held by an incumbent who is running for re-election and an open seat? What is redistricting? How has redistricting impacted the seats up for grabs in the House of Representatives?

4. Why does each political party fight so hard to gain a majority of seats in Congress? What are the political advantages to holding a majority in the House and the Senate? Historically, which political party benefits in a midterm election? Why do you think this is so?

RELATED • CNN.com: Special Report: Election 2002  • CNN.com: AllPolitics  • CNN Presents Classroom Edition: America Decides 2002

5. Direct students to the Web sites below to learn more about what is at stake in this midterm election. Organize students into small groups and have each group select one local or statewide race in your state. Challenge each group to prepare a one-page handout summarizing what is at stake in that particular race, the candidates running in that race, their stances on the key issues, and any additional information that might help an eligible voter make an informed vote. Ask students: Was it easy or difficult to access information about both what is at stake and the candidates' stances on the issues? How might the accessibility to information on the candidates affect the outcome of the race? Is the race close or is the winner an obvious choice? Will the results of this particular race affect you, your family or your community? If yes, in what way? If no, do you still think it is important to vote in that race? Might this local or state election have national impact? Explain. After students have presented their summaries to the class, encourage them predict the winners of each race and the overall voter turnout numbers. Have them justify their predictions.