STANDARDS

NCSS: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions • Power, Authority, and Governance • Global Connections • Civic Ideals and Practices

Common Core: RH.6-8.1, RH.6-8.2, RH.6-8.3, RH.6-8.4, RH.6-8.5, RH.6-8.7, WHST.6-8.4, WHST.6-8.7, WHST.6-8.9, RI.6-8.1, RI.6-8.2, RI.6-8.3, RI.6-8.4, RI.6-8.5, RI.6-8.7, RI.6-8.9, W.6-8.4, W.6-8.7, W.6-8.9

RyanJLane/Getty Images (ballot box); White House Historical Association (Resolute Desk); iStockPhoto/Getty Images (all other images)

U.S. NEWS | CIVICS

Election 2024

What If You Were President?

This month, Americans are picking their next leader. How can you help shape the country’s future?

With reporting by Tanisha Agrawal, Laura Anastasia, Michelle Crouch, Lucia De Stefani, Lisa M. Herrington, Alexandra Lim-Chua Wee, Sarah Marcus, Brooke Ross, Anna Starecheski, and Makayla Wu

Question: How can people participate in a democracy?

You may not be old enough to vote yet, but your voice and your ideas matter. That’s why—in this presidential election year—the editors of Junior Scholastic decided that we wanted to hear from middle schoolers like you. We interviewed 100 students from across the country—two from each state. We asked questions like What are the most important qualities in a leader? and What is the first big thing you would do if you were president?

Turn the page for the responses, then keep reading as we lead you through the basics of the upcoming election. Our guide offers facts about the candidates and a step-by-step view of how the Electoral College works. There’s also a map pointing out other key races across the country. The information will help you follow along as Americans elect the country’s 47th president. And it will offer you an opportunity—the chance to think about the vision that you and your peers have for the future, and how you can help make it a reality. Who knows?

Maybe your name will be on the ballot for president one day.

Junior Scholastic asked 100 middle school students across the country . . .

1. What is the first big thing you would do if you were president?

Courtesy of the family

“I would give every homeless family a house and a good-paying job.” 


—Sonika Vankadaru, a sixth-grader from Pennsylvania

It might be tempting to order a massive hot fudge sundae from the White House chef and catch a double feature in your private movie theater. (Presidential perks!) But the students we talked to had more serious plans for their first day in office. 

One of the most popular tasks? Protecting the environment. Liam Saguar, an eighth-grader from Kentucky, would promote electric cars and eliminate the use of fossil fuels. Other students would prioritize finding ways to clean the air and water. “We only have one Earth, so we need to save that Earth,” says Grant Koerner, a seventh-grader from North Carolina.

Many students said they would use their presidential power to ensure that everyone has a home and healthy food. Gavin Hwang, a sixth-grader from California, would start by building more houses and apartments. “Everybody should have a safe place where they can sleep at night or keep their belongings and not worry about them being stolen,” he says. Sonika Vankadaru, a sixth-grader from Pennsylvania, agrees. “I would give every homeless family a house and a good-paying job,” she says.

High prices were another hot topic. Many students said they would use their role to tackle inflation—a rise in prices over time that can make goods or services costlier. “It makes life hard when everything’s so expensive,” explains Abby Matukonis, a seventh-grader from Maryland. Clementine Ferrara, a seventh-grader from Wisconsin, agrees. “Some people can’t afford food or clothes for their kids,” she says. Clementine’s solution? Raising the minimum wage—the lowest amount most workers can be paid hourly. 

Top 10 Answers

  • Protect the environment
  • Help the homeless
  • Lower food and gas prices
  • Improve schools
  • Treat people equally
  • Create more jobs and raise pay
  • Address immigration
  • Lower health care costs
  • End war
  • Help stray dogs

2. What are the most important qualities in a U.S. president?

The president has many jobs—including shaping U.S. policy and representing the country. So what traits are essential? Kindness and honesty, the middle schoolers said. One in five students singled out kindness. “A kind president would care about people and try to help them,” explains Pavit Thakkar, a seventh-grader from New Jersey. Just as many students brought up honesty. “We should be able to trust the president in what they say,” says Khaleb Jefferson, an eighth-grader from South Carolina. 

Courtesy of Family

Open-Mindedness: “Being open to suggestions. Different people have different opinions, and everyone’s opinion matters.”

—Violet Floyd, an eighth-grader from Oregon


Courtesy of Family

Courage: “You really need to know when to say things and how to speak up and use your voice.” 

—Paige Charland, a sixth-grader from Maine


Courtesy of Family

Intelligence: “They should be smart enough to see the issues with the country, and care enough to help fix them.” 

—Lucas Brimenzi, an eighth-grader from Oklahoma


Courtesy of Family

Selflessness: “They should think about what is most important for the country and not about themselves.” 

—Pehya Simon, a sixth-grader from Louisiana 

Top 10 Answers

  • Kind  
  • Honest
  • Good leader
  • Caring
  • Open-minded
  • Intelligent
  • Good communicator
  • Informed
  • Fair
  • Good listener

3. When you think about the future of the United States, what’s most important to you?

Courtesy of Family

“The next generation has to be well-educated.” 

 

—Josh Walker, a seventh-grader from Texas

This was another chance for students to share their hopes—and concerns—about the future. Protecting the environment and addressing homelessness once again topped the list.

For some students, making sure kids get a good education is most important. It’s an investment for the whole country’s future, they point out. “If you’re handing off the country to the next generation, I feel like the next generation has to be well-educated,” says Josh Walker, a seventh-grader from Texas. Other students hope all Americans feel secure in the future. “What’s most important is that everyone’s safe,” explains Emmelyn Mitchell, a seventh-grader from Utah.

Top 10 Answers

  • Environment
  • Homelessness
  • Safety 
  • Education
  • Inflation
  • Treating people equally
  • Affordable health care
  • Uniting people
  • Ending hunger
  • Ending war

4. What do you want the next president to know?

Courtesy of Family

“I want all people to be treated equally.”

 

—Azariah Green, a seventh-grader from Mississippi

The students we talked to said they would urge the president to focus on problems facing the U.S.—including homelessness, inflation, the environment, and health care costs. “Make sure everybody feels safe and protected,” suggests Maelyn Collins, a sixth-grader from Massachusetts.

Others would offer advice on how the president should act, including listening to and respecting all Americans. “People matter,” says Triston Smith, an eighth-grader from Arizona. “We should work together and not against each other.” Telling the president to be fair was also a priority for some. “I want all people to be treated equally,” says Azariah Green, a seventh-grader from Mississippi.

When it comes down to it, the students agree: The next president should do their best. “Go with your gut,” says Raegan Rodgers, a seventh-grader from Florida. And, adds Kellan Halfast, a sixth-grader from Indiana, “keep kids in mind when you make decisions!”

Top 10 Answers

  • Help people in need
  • Lower prices
  • Listen to others
  • Protect Earth
  • Treat people equally
  • Respect everyone
  • Do what you think is right
  • Lower health care costs
  • Spend more money on schools
  • Keep people safe

Your Election 2024 Guide

Here’s what you need to know as the U.S. elects its next president.

How Does the Presidential Election Work?

STEP 1
Choosing Electors

Democratic and Republican officials in each state appoint electors. Those are people who hope to represent their state in the Electoral College—the body that officially determines the winner of the presidential election. Each set of electors pledges to support their party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates. 

STEP 2
The Popular Vote

Americans cast ballots through early voting, by mail, or in person on Election Day. This is called the popular vote. But even though the candidates’ names are on the ballots, voters aren’t directly choosing the president. Instead, their votes help determine which party’s electors will represent their state in the Electoral College. 

STEP 3
Winning Electors 

Most states have a “winner takes all” rule: The candidate who wins a state’s popular vote gets to have all their electors from that state participate in the Electoral College.* Each state’s number of electors is based on how many members it has in the Senate and the House of Representatives (see example, at right). Every state has two senators. Representatives are based on state population.**

*In Maine and Nebraska, electors can be split between candidates. 
**Washington, D.C., has three electors.

STEP 4
The Electoral College Vote

In December, electors meet—usually in their state capitals—to cast their official votes for president and vice president. To win, a candidate must receive votes from at least 270 electors—more than half of the 538 total possible votes. (If a single candidate wins the popular vote in most states, this outcome is usually already known.) Each state’s votes are recorded and sent to the U.S. Congress. 

STEP 5
Declaring the Winner

Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives meet on January 6 to officially count the electoral votes from each state. The process is largely ceremonial. The current vice president, who also serves as president of the Senate, formally announces the winner.

STEP 6
Inauguration Day

The president-elect is sworn into office by the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court on January 20. During the ceremony, the new president takes the oath of office, swearing to protect and uphold the U.S. Constitution. 

How do electoral votes add up? Click here to play a game.

Who’s Running for President?

Kamala Harris

Christina House/Los Angeles Times via Contour RA by Getty Image

Party: Democratic Party

Elected office: U.S. vice president (2021-present); U.S. senator from California (2017-2021); attorney general of California (2011-2017)

Profession: attorney

Date of birth: October 20, 1964

Birthplace: Oakland, California

Running Mate: Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota

Donald J. Trump 

Luke Hales/Getty Images 

Party: Republican Party

Elected office: U.S. president (2017-2021)

Profession: real estate developer and businessperson

Date of birth: June 14, 1946

Birthplace: New York, New York

Running Mate: J.D. Vance, U.S. senator from Ohio

As of August 29, 2024, Independent and third-party candidates included Chase Oliver (Libertarian), Jill Stein (Green Party), Randall Terry (Constitution Party), and Cornel West (Independent).

Dates to Remember

Nov. 5: Americans vote on Election Day.

 

Dec. 17: Electors in each state cast votes.

 

Jan. 6: Congress announces the official results.

 

Jan. 20: The president-elect is sworn into office.

YOUR TURN

Research Candidates

Use the map above to see what elections are taking place in your state. Then research two candidates who are running for local or state office. What experience do they have? What issues are they focusing on?

What Will Happen?

Click here after the popular vote for the latest election news and results.

Interactive Quiz for this article

Click the Google Classroom button below to share the Know the News quiz with your class.

Download .PDF
videos (1)
Skills Sheets (7)
Skills Sheets (7)
Skills Sheets (7)
Skills Sheets (7)
Skills Sheets (7)
Skills Sheets (7)
Skills Sheets (7)
Lesson Plan (2)
Lesson Plan (2)
Article (1)
Text-to-Speech