Lesson Plan: 2020: Let The People Elect The President! End the Electoral College
II. While Reading Activities
Word Inference
- pledge |plej| noun 1 a solemn promise or undertaking: [with infinitive] : the conference ended with a joint pledge to limit pollution.
- dictum |ˈdiktəm| noun (plural dicta |-tə| or dictums) a formal pronouncement from an authoritative source: the First Amendment dictum that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech”
- allies noun |ˈalī| (plural allies) a person or organization that cooperates with or helps another in a particular activity: he was forced to dismiss his closest political ally.
- ballot |ˈbalət| noun a process of voting, in writing and typically in secret: next year’s primary ballot | the commissioners were elected by ballot.
- violate |ˈvīəˌlāt| verb [with object] break or fail to comply with (a rule or formal agreement): they violated the terms of a ceasefire.
- vet verb (vets, vetting, vetted) [with object]• British investigate (someone) thoroughly, especially in order to ensure that they are suitable for a job requiring secrecy, loyalty, or trustworthiness: each applicant will be vetted by police.
- deadlock |ˈdedˌläk| noun 1 [in singular] a situation, typically one involving opposing parties, in which no progress can be made: an attempt to break the deadlock.
- reverse |rəˈvərs| verb [no object] [with object] make (something) the opposite of what it was: the damage done to the ozone layer may be reversed
- resolve |rəˈzälv| verb with object] settle or find a solution to (a problem, dispute, or contentious matter): the firm aims to resolve problems within 30 days.
- aghast |əˈɡast|adjective [predicative] filled with horror or shock: when the news came out they were aghast.
Source: New Oxford American Dictionary
Grammar Focus: Word -Recognition
Micheal Baca was a Democratic elector in Colorado in 2016. Mr. Baca believed Trump’s electoral victory posed an existential threat to the country. While almost no one else joined Mr. Baca’s cause, he cast his ballot for Mr. Kasich anyway…The August 20 ruling from a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, in Denver, backed up his constitutional claim.
Reading Comprehension Fill-ins
In other words, electors aren’t distinguished citizens weighing whether the people have made a wise decision on their presidential ballot; they are men and women chosen because of their partisan loyalty. So it’s understandable that after years of tightly contested elections, Americans are aghast that an elector would dare to substitute his judgment for the will of the people.
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