State and Local Elections

Introduction

The State and Local elections of West Virginia took place yesterday. New senators and delegates were elected across the state. This webquest will allow you to view party platforms, campaign ads, and the results of the election. Why do you think the voters voted the way they did? Let's try to find out!

Task

You have been selected to be the Decision 2014 youth political analyst for the election coverage at Fox News. They will be analyzing the election results from West Virginia and they need your help! You will need to brush up on your background information and make sure you are up to date in understanding the party platforms of both Republicans and Democrats. Did I mention there are federal and state platforms? You will need to be familiar with both. Follow the links for more directions. Do our state proud!

Process

First we need to break down the beliefs of the party platforms. You will answer the questions below using the links provided.

Republican National - https://www.gop.com/platform/

1. On the Republican National website, click on "Natural Resources". Scroll down to the heading "Our Nations Energy Abundance". What is the national party platform stance on coal?

2. According to the National GOP, what is America Exceptionalism?

3. Also acording to the National GOP, how do Republicans hope to create a culture of hope? (In section on "Renewing American Values")

Republican State - http://wvgop.org/about/platform

4. How do WV Republicans want to change education?

5. What are three of the principles of the WV Republican Party?

Democrat National - http://www.democrats.org/democratic-national-platform

6. On the Democrat National site, click on Option 3: "Ensuring Safety and Quality Life" under the "Greater Together" heading. What is the national party platform stance on coal?

7. How do Democrats want to put people back to work?

8. How do Democrats intend on strengthening the American community?

Democrat State - http://www.wvdemocrats.com/documents/2012Platform.pdf

9. What do state Democrats want to do about small businesses?

10. What do state Democrats believe will help fix West Virginia?

Economy

11. Perform a Google search for "national unemployment rates by state 2014". Click on thre first link for the Bureau of Labor Statictics. What ranking is West Virginia in terms of unemployment? What is our unemplyment rate?

12. Due to our unemployment rates, one of the most important issues for West Virginia's voters is the economy. What are a couple of examples of how each of the platforms suggests we strengthen our economy? Do you notice any differences between the national and state paltforms?

National Republican State Republican National Democrat State Democrat

1. 1. 1. 1.
2. 2. 2. 2.

Differences between federal and state:__________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Political Ads: http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20141028/GZ01/141029186

13. Are all ads true?

14. Why would a political ad lie? Give an example of a lie.

15. What organization checks political ads for facts?

16. What political ads do you rememeber from this election season that were particularly negative or attacking? Where did you see these ads?

Election Results: http://election.wvmetronews.com/

17. Who won the open US Senate seat in WV? What party is she?

18. Who won each of the three US House of Representatives seats for WV? What party is each?

19. Who won the WV senate seat for District 5? What party are they?

20. Who won the WV House of Delegates seats for Districts 15 and 16? What party are they?

Evaluation

This wequest will be worth 30 points.

Conclusion

Congratulations! Your news segment was a huge success. You showed your knowledge of the state and local elections of West Virginia. You really impressed the 300 million viewers that tuned in, and they are considering making you a full-time youth political analyst.