| Name: ______________________________ | Date: ______________ |
Instructions
- Learn how midterm elections fit into the United States election cycle.
- Use context clues and civics knowledge to answer each question.
- Remember that voters choose people for different levels of government.
- Explain your thinking when a question asks for a short answer.
Example: What are midterm elections?
Answer: Midterm elections are elections held halfway through a president's four-year term. Voters choose members of Congress and may also vote for state and local officials.
Part 1: Election Basics
Complete each sentence with the correct civics term.
1. A midterm election takes place halfway through a president's __________ term.
2. The national lawmaking body made up of the House and Senate is called __________.
3. Members of the House of Representatives serve __________-year terms.
4. The official process of choosing leaders by voting is called an __________.
Part 2: Newsroom Choices
Choose the best answer for each question.
5. Why are midterm elections called "midterm" elections?
| ○ A. They happen in the middle of a president's term | ○ B. They happen in the middle of every month |
| ○ C. They are only for middle schools | ○ D. They decide the middle position on a ballot |
6. Which national offices are regularly elected during midterms?
| ○ A. Members of Congress | ○ B. The president and vice president |
| ○ C. Supreme Court justices | ○ D. Cabinet secretaries |
7. What can happen if a political party wins more seats in Congress during midterms?
| ○ A. It may gain more influence over lawmaking | ○ B. It automatically chooses the president |
| ○ C. It cancels all state elections | ○ D. It appoints every local official |
8. Which election usually occurs in the same year as a presidential election?
| ○ A. A presidential election | ○ B. A midterm election |
| ○ C. A special school election | ○ D. A judicial review |
Part 3: Fact Check Desk
Write True or False for each statement.
9. Midterm elections occur every four years. True / False
10. The president is elected during every midterm election. True / False
11. Midterm ballots can include state and local races. True / False
12. Senators serve two-year terms. True / False
13. Voter turnout is often lower in midterm elections than in presidential elections. True / False
Part 4: Election Calendar
Complete the missing information about the two main federal election years.
| Election year | Federal offices commonly elected | Relationship to the presidential term |
|---|---|---|
| Presidential election year | President, vice president, and members of Congress | Beginning of a new four-year presidential term |
| Midterm election year | ||
| Presidential election year | ||
| Midterm election year |
Part 5: Candidate Briefing (optional challenge)
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
15. Why can midterm elections affect a president's ability to pass laws? |
16. Name two kinds of offices, besides members of Congress, that may appear on a midterm ballot. |
17. Why might a citizen choose to learn about candidates and ballot measures before voting? |
18. How are midterm elections different from presidential elections? |
Answer Key
| 1. | four-year |
| 2. | Congress |
| 3. | two |
| 4. | election |
| 5. | A (They happen in the middle of a president's term) |
| 6. | A (Members of Congress) |
| 7. | A (It may gain more influence over lawmaking) |
| 8. | A (A presidential election) |
| 9. | True |
| 10. | False |
| 11. | True |
| 12. | False |
| 13. | True |
| 14a. | Midterm election year · Members of Congress · Halfway through a four-year presidential term |
| 14b. | Presidential election year · President, vice president, and members of Congress · Beginning of a new four-year presidential term |
| 14c. | Midterm election year · Members of Congress · Halfway through a four-year presidential term |
| 15. | Midterm elections can change which party controls the House or Senate. A president may have more difficulty passing laws if the opposing party controls Congress. |
| 16. | Examples include governor, state legislator, mayor, county commissioner, or school board member. |
| 17. | Learning about them helps the citizen make an informed decision about people and policies that affect the community. |
| 18. | Presidential elections include a vote for president, while midterm elections occur halfway through the president's term and do not elect a president. |