Election Day – Worksheet
1 Quiz – US politics and elections
- The building where the US President lives: c – the White House
- The people elected to the US government and the place where they work: a – Congress
- The two main political parties: b – Democrats and Republicans
- The place where people vote privately: b – a voting booth
- The paper you use to vote: a – a ballot
- The number of states in the US: c – 50
Pictures: 1 a ballot · 2 Congress (the Capitol) · 3 a voting booth · 4 Democrats & Republicans · 5 the White House · 6 50 states
Good to know: elections are held on the Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November.
2 Why is it important to understand what is going on in the US right now?
Because of the midterm elections on 3 November 2026 – they decide who controls Congress and how much the President can do.
3 What do you remember from the video? (The mid-term elections explained)
The US midterm elections take place every four years, in the middle of a president’s four-year term (two years after the presidential election) – always on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and about one third of the 100 seats in the Senate are up for election; many states also elect governors and state politicians. The results decide which party controls Congress. If the opposition wins a majority, it can block the President’s laws. Usually the President’s party loses seats in the midterms, and fewer people vote than in presidential elections.
4 Match the expressions with their definitions
| Expression | Definition |
|---|---|
| 1 midterm election | g – an election held between presidential elections |
| 2 voting district | f – an area whose residents vote for the same representative |
| 3 off-year election | c – an election held in a year when there is no presidential election |
| 4 on the ballot | h – appearing on the list of choices that voters can choose from |
| 5 incumbent | a – the person currently holding an elected office |
| 6 special election | d – an election held to fill a position before the normal election date |
| 7 run for office | b – try to get elected to a government position |
| 8 flip a seat | e – when a seat changes from one political party to another |
Solution: 1g, 2f, 3c, 4h, 5a, 6d, 7b, 8e
5 Speaking – Be the change! Run for office
- Party: The Next Generation Party (NGP)
- Mascot: an owl (stands for wisdom)
- Slogan: “Smart schools – green future!”
3 campaign promises:
- Free, healthy school lunches made with local food.
- A tablet and fast Wi-Fi for every student.
- A free bus pass for all students.
Speech:
“My name is Alex Miller and I am running for office. If you vote for my party, we will make sure that every student gets free healthy lunches, modern technology and a free bus pass. We listen to young people – vote for a smart and green future!”
Questions:
- Why should voters choose your party? – We are young and know the problems of students first-hand, and our plans are concrete.
- How will you pay for this plan? – By cutting money for unnecessary prestige projects, using EU funds and finding sponsors among local companies.
- What makes you better than your opponents? – We offer realistic, affordable plans instead of empty promises.
- Which issue is most important in this election? – Education, especially technology in schools.
- What would you do if you lost the election? – Congratulate the winner, keep working as a strong opposition and try again next time.