The 2024 Election season has begun in earnest. What that means for Teach with TVW is that our Elections Explained coverage also begins. Throughout the summer and fall, we will be producing short explainer videos that showcase all the aspects of how elections work in Washington State, from the floors of the state conventions to the final counting of votes in November. Each video can stand alone, or they can be viewed as a series. Additionally, all will come with lesson plans for easy implementation in the classroom.
Book mark this page as we will be posting new video shorts from the campaign trail along with supporting lesson plans, study guides and student workbooks for teaching Elections in the Fall.
THE SERIES
Washington State is one of the only states in the nation that has a Top Two Primary for all of its Statewide Elected positions, Congressional positions, and Legislative positions. Held in the August preceding a November election, the top two winners of the primary regardless of political party move on to the general election. Washington State has conducted this type of primary for almost 20 years.
Essential Questions:
- Why did Washington change to the Top Two Primary?
- To what extent does Washington’s Primary System represent the views of its voters?
- How does the Top Two Primary work?
Lesson Plan: Elections Explained: Top Two Primary
State Conventions: what are their purposes in an election year? In June, The Washington State Democratic Party held their 2024 State Convention in Bellevue. Boasting their most diverse delegation ever, delegates from across the state joined together to meet with members of their caucuses, collaborate on ideas on how to strengthen their party, vote to adopt their party platform and resolutions, and formulate a unified message to get Democrats elected.
Essential Questions:
- Why do political parties have conventions?
- How did the Democratic party use the convention to mobilize their members?
- What is a political party?
Lesson Plan: Elections Explained: 2024 Democratic Party State Convention
Candidate Endorsements: how do they really work? Founded in 1969, the Mainstream Republicans of Washington held their annual conference in May to discuss issues facing the state, endorse candidates for office, and to brainstorm how to combat divisiveness within the state. From panel discussions on the fentanyl crisis and dam removal to Building Bridges across the aisle, Republicans from across the state gathered to exchange views on how to best get Mainstream Republicans elected to office
Essential Questions:
- Why is there a Mainstream Republican Conference?
- What did the Mainstream Republicans focus on at the conference?
- Why was there a focus on Building Bridges at the conference?
Lesson Plan: Elections Explained: Endorsement/Think Tank Conferences
Teach With TVW takes to the road to learn what state party conventions are all about. In April of 2024, the Washington State Republican Party, chaired by State Representative Jim Walsh, hosted their State Convention in Spokane. Understand the reasoning behind endorsements, hear interviews with delegates, and see for yourself how it all unfolded. And stay tuned for our coverage of the Democratic State Convention in June!
Essential Questions:
- Why do political parties have conventions?
- How did the Republican party use the convention to shape the electoral process?
Lesson Plan: Political Conventions: Republican Party State Convention
Candidate Endorsements: how do they really work? The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO is the umbrella organization for over 600 labor unions in the state. In May, they held their Committee on Political Education (COPE) Endorsing Convention, where candidates from both parties came to talk to union delegates in hopes of earning the endorsement of the WSLC. After watching this 5 minute video, you will understand the role that the unions can play in an election.
Essential Questions:
- Why do people join unions?
- How much power does a union endorsement carry in an election?
Lesson Plan: Labor Union Endorsement Conventions
Precinct Committee Officers are party officials who engage with the population at a grassroots level. From encouraging people to get out the vote, to attending meetings about party business, to even nominating people to fill vacancies in the State Legislature, PCOs are involved in the political process at every level. In this video, you will learn about the important role that PCOs play in the party system as well as why young people should run to become one!
Essential Questions:
- What is a PCO and how are they important to the political process?
- Why is grassroots engagement important to the political process?
- How can young voters get involved in the political process?
Lesson Plan: Engagement: Precinct Committee Officer
How to become a Precinct Committee Officer – There are many vacancies and you are needed!
Chirag lays out all the steps for you in this easy to follow guide.
Essential Questions:
- What is a PCO and how are they important to the political process?
- Why is grassroots engagement important to the political process?
- How can young voters get involved in the political process?
Lesson Plan: Engagement: Precinct Committee Officer
I went to bed in one district, and woke up in another! Help your students understand how legislative districts work in WA.
2024 is an election year! Do you know who will be on your ballot? Every 10 years, our legislative and congressional district lines are redrawn and thus your district may have changed since the last presidential election. However, due to a legal challenge to the redistricting done after the 2020 census, 13 legislative districts changed as of the first week in April 2024. Don’t be surprised when your primary ballot comes in July! Check this map below to see if you are one of the 300,000 people who have new legislators representing them!
Essential Questions:
- To what extent does the redistricting committee create equity in Washington State?
- How do individuals challenge redistricting in Washington State?
Lesson Plan: Voting: Impact of Redistricting
News Article: Washington Standard Redistricting Map