Educator Guide

Set your VCR to record "CNN Presents Classroom Edition: America Decides 2002" on Monday, November 4, 4:10am - 5:00am immediately following "People in the News" on CNN.

Program Overview: This up-to-the minute CNN Presents Classroom Edition program focuses on what's at stake in this year's midterm elections and why it matters. The program examines the candidates, political parties and issues in the 2002 midterm elections.

Due to the fact that this program will be in production until it actually airs, our educators have prepared this guide to cover the information relevant to your social studies curriculum. This guide is written in a question-and-answer format to provide you and your students with information and resources necessary to understand the mechanics and significance of next week's elections. We'd like to know if you find this format and its content helpful. Please click "Send us your comments and questions" on the left side of this page and let us know what you think.

Election 2002 Q & A

ELECTION RESOURCES • Partner Resource - Harcourt: Holt, Rinehart and Winston’s American Government  • AOL@School: Election Guide 2002  • AOL: Election Guide 2002  • CNN.com: Election 2002  • Turner Learning: Your Choice, Your Voice: The Voter  • National Student/Parent Mock Election  • Federal Election Commission  • FEC Watch  • League of Women Voters  • opensecrets.org: Your Guide to the Money in U.S. Elections  • Project Vote Smart

What are the two houses that comprise the United States Congress? How many members does each house have?

The U.S. Congress is comprised of the House of Representatives, which has 435 members (allocated by population in each state), and the Senate, which has 100 members (two from each state, regardless of population.)

What are the terms for members of the House and Senate?

Representatives in the House serve two-year terms. Senators serve six-year terms. Every two years, one-third of the Senate is up for election. These terms are mandated by the U.S. Constitution. There are no term limits in the House and Senate; congressional representatives can run for office as many times as they qualify to do so.

What is a "midterm election"?

A "midterm election" is one that takes place halfway within the term of a chief executive. For example, the national elections this November are taking place midway through George W. Bush's term as president.

What offices are typically up for bid during midterm elections?

All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election, as well as one-third of the Senate (this year, 34 seats are up for grabs) and some governors' seats (36 states have gubernatorial elections this November). In addition, many states hold important statewide and local elections in the midterm.

Why is the Senate the most contested electoral battleground this election year?

Prior to the recent death of Senator Paul Wellstone (D-Minnesota), the Democrats held a one-vote majority in the Senate. There are 34 seats up for election out of the 100.

There were 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans and one independent in the Senate before Senator Wellstone's death in a plane crash on October 25th.

Which party currently controls the House of Representatives? Could power shift to the other party?

At present, the Republicans maintain a slim majority in the House. Out of power since 1995, Democrats hope to regain control of the House from Republicans but face an uphill battle as there are few contested races.

Currently, there are 223 Republicans, 210 Democrats and one independent in the House.

Why is party control of one or both houses of Congress so important?

The political party that controls one or both houses of Congress dictates much of the legislature's actions. The majority party can:

•control committee assignments,

•determine the success (or failure) of a president's legislative agenda by majority votes on specific bills,

•approve or deny presidential appointments,

•override presidential vetoes,

•serve as a real "check and balance" on the powers of the executive and judicial branches of government.

Which party holds a majority of governors' seats? How might term limits impact that party's control?

Thirty-six states have gubernatorial races this year. Republicans currently hold a majority of governors' offices, but Democrats are hoping to make gains. The GOP has more offices to defend, as many incumbent Republicans are leaving office due to term limits.

Why are midterm elections so carefully watched?

Midterm elections are often seen as a referendum on the president's political party. Historically, midterm elections have not been kind to the president's party: In most cases the party in the White House has lost seats in its first midterm election.

What is "redistricting"?

Every 10 years, the 50 states redraw their congressional districts based on new information from the census in a process known as "redistricting." Most states keep the same number of districts, while some states gain seats and others lose seats due to declining population.

Which states gained or lost House seats due to the 2000 Census?

The states of California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Georgia, Florida and North Carolina gained congressional seats due to increased populations.

Oklahoma, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut lost congressional seats.

How might the redistricting process affect the outcome of this year's elections?

Political analysts are saying that, this year, redistricting will probably have a minimal impact on the elections, because many states did not redraw congressional districts that threatened House incumbents. Improved technology has allowed politicians in state legislatures to redraw districts with greater accuracy, allowing politicians to protect incumbents -- especially in states that have leaders in Washington.