What one word do Americans use most to describe the upcoming election?

Starters
Written By Jonathan Milner

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

  1. What one word do Americans use most to describe the upcoming election?

  2. What one word do you use most to describe the upcoming election?

  3. What two optimistic words do Americans use most to describe the upcoming election?

  4. Six of the top ten words used to describe the election are words of uncertainty. Why do you think that is?

  5. Explain whether so much uncertainty will increase or decrease voter turnout.

  6. The polling data above comes from 980 registered voters. Why does the poll tell you that information and what does that information tell you about the poll’s reliability?

  7. A New York Times/Siena College poll from February found that 19 percent of voters held an unfavorable view of both President Biden and former President Donald J. Trump. And 29 percent of Americans believe that neither candidate would be a good president, according to a March poll from Gallup. If so many people are so opposed to these two candidates, explain what it is about the American electoral system that explains how these two very unpopular people are the candidates from their party?

  8. To win an election you must turn out your base (the core supporters of your party) and also win the people in the middle (independents and swing voters). According to the recent the Times/Siena poll above, about half of Republican primary voters are enthusiastic with Mr. Trump as their nominee, and about a quarter of Democratic primary voters said the same about Mr. Biden. Based on this information alone, who has the advantage in the election?

  9. Fewer than 15 percent of voters in the Times/Siena poll above reported that they were happy, excited or hopeful about the upcoming presidential election. Voters who said they planned to vote for Mr. Trump were about twice as likely to say they felt happy about the election as those who were planning to vote for Mr. Biden. Why do you think so few people are happy about the election?

  10. Imagine you were a Trump or a Biden campaign official. Explain how you would use the information from the chart above in the campaign.

    Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Ask people you know (online or in person but not in class!) what word they would use to describe how they feel about the upcoming election. Share the most common responses with your classmates then compile a class list detailing the most common feelings about the presidential election.

Get Creative

If the American voter were a video game character, what would they be?

Learning Extension

Read the latest Pew Research Center Report on American political parties and our divided nation.

 
 
 
High Five AP Government & Politics Exam Review Completely Updated for 2024
Quick View
High Five AP Government & Politics Exam Review Completely Updated for 2024
$15.00

Prepare for the 2024 AP® US Government Exam with High Five! Our Exam Review guide is completely redesigned and updated with over 140 pages of great AP Exam review material. Tons of completed graphic organizers are full of information to get you exam-ready in a flash.

This 2024 exam guide is an instant download and contains all the following resources.

  • Overview of the U.S. Government and Politics exam. 

  • Completed graphic organizers for all required documents + Supreme Court cases. 

  • Guide to the skills and content for all 5 course units. 

  • Essential vocabulary with link to online glossary.

  • Tons of Graphic Organizers with answers from each course unit.

  • GoPo Pro Tips.

  • Exam review Guides.

  • Full Length AP multiple choice + Free Response Exam with Key.

AP ® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this site or product.

GoPoPro does not offer credit or grades for our classes or products.

BUY NOW
 

Glossary

Jonathan Milner

Civics Maven!

https://www.gopopro.com/
Previous

Does America enter into more treaties or executive agreements?
Next

Which of the two major parties is more diverse?