One of the most covered topics in the news at the moment is the US Presidential Elections. So to start off this new school year let’s take a look at the process:

An election for President of the United States occurs every four years on Election Day, held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The 2016 Presidential election will be held on November 8, 2016.

The election process begins with the primary elections and caucuses and moves to nominating conventions, during which political parties each select a nominee to unite behind. The nominee also announces a Vice Presidential running mate at this time. The candidates then campaign across the country to explain their views and plans to voters and participate in debates with candidates from other parties.

During the general election, Americans head to the polls to cast their vote for President. But the tally of those votes—the popular vote—does not determine the winner. Instead, Presidential elections use the Electoral College. To win the election, a candidate must receive a majority of electoral votes. In the event no candidate receives the majority, the House of Representatives chooses the President and the Senate chooses the Vice President.

The Presidential election process follows a typical cycle:

• Spring of the year before an election – Candidates announce their intentions to run.
• Summer of the year before an election through spring of the election year – Primary and caucus debates take place.
• January to June of election year – States and parties hold primaries and caucuses.
• July to early September – Parties hold nominating conventions to choose their candidates.
• September and October – Candidates participate in Presidential debates.
• Early November – Election Day
• December – Electors cast their votes in the Electoral College.
• Early January of the next calendar year – Congress counts the electoral votes.
• January 20 – Inauguration Day

Here are a few links to articles and web sites to learn more about the Presidential elections and also the candidates

1. The road to the White House – what influence do the media/social media have on the election? Why is money so important during the campaign?
2. Meet the candidates
3. Simple videos about the Presidential Elections
4. Full description of how the election works on the BBC news page
5. The latest results and a poll tracker : The Telegraph
6. Donald Trump’s speech outlining his immigration policy: Arizona speech
7. Where Hilary Clinton stands on immigration: immigration issue
8. Where both candidates stand on immigration: video  (could be used for the notion spaces and exchanges)
9. Detailed articles and debates on the CNN website
10. The US presidential election explained : Euronews
11. The electoral college: definition
12. The power of the social media in the presidential debate: social media

Has the US media helped Trump get where he is?