Overview: Discover what it takes to run for public office in Washington state, from filing for candidacy and raising campaign funds to meeting voters and handling the pressures of public life. Featuring insights from former state senator Laura Loveland and political consultants, this video explores the personal motivations, challenges, and rewards of campaigning for office. Viewers learn how candidates connect with communities, build trust with voters, and navigate the realities of modern elections while strengthening democracy through civic participation and public service.
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In addition to short, educational videos and lesson plans, Teach With TVW also produces documentaries to help students understand how their state government works by taking a deeper look into issues affecting the state.
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University of Washington Professor Matt McGarrity teaches the debate technique known as “flowing” and emphasizes to voters the importance of taking notes when watching televised debates.
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Overview: This video explores how the Electoral College works, why it was created, and why it remains one of the most debated parts of American democracy. Through Washington state’s 2016 Electoral College meeting, viewers learn how electors are chosen, how electoral votes determine the presidency, and why the system can produce outcomes where the popular vote winner loses the election. The video also examines the constitutional compromises behind the Electoral College, the role of smaller states, faithless electors, and ongoing debates about whether the system still serves its intended purpose in modern elections.Northwest Regional Emmy® Award in 2018.
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The ELECTIONS EXPLAINED is a short explainer series showcasing all 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 come with lesson plans for easy implementation in the classroom.
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Overview: 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:
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At the Secretary of State’s office, the first week of May is also known as FILING WEEK! Candidates who want to run for office fill out their candidate declaration forms and pay their filing fee, officially making them eligible to be on the ballot. While this process is generally procedural and ceremonial in nature, there are laws and formalities followed that ensure that the process is equitable and fair for both the candidate and the voter. Essential Question:
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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:
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Every year, Washington residents receive a Voters’ Pamphlet in their mailbox prior to the election. Along with the Video Voters Guide produced by TVW, the Voters’ Pamphlet is a powerful tool for Washingtonians, allowing them to hear from the candidates in their own words, regardless of how much media coverage they receive. The Secretary of State’s office does not fact check any candidate statement. In this lesson, students will hear from the Secretary of State and the Lieutenant Governor about the importance of this election information. Essential Questions:
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The August 2024 Primary Election resulted in Washington State’s closest statewide race in history! The race for who will be in the General Election for our Commissioner of Public Lands came down to just 51 votes, which triggered a mandatory hand recount. So, what do the County Auditors and their election staff, who count the ballots, do during a hand recount? How does the recount work? Essential Questions:
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