How Is the President of the United States Chosen?

America is a very big country. Many people live there, and it buys and sells things with many countries. So the things America’s leader decides can sometimes reach faraway countries too. That leader is called the “president.”

💬 America Is a Big Country

🤔 Things decided by the leader of a big country can sometimes reach other countries too. Are there rules at preschool or at home that matter to everyone?

People who want to become president talk to everyone. “I want to make schools better.” “I want to make towns safe.” “I want to get along well with many countries.” Adults listen to those ideas and think about who would be good.

💬 People Who Want to Lead Talk to Everyone

🤔 If you were choosing a leader for preschool, what kind of things would you want that person to do?

The president is not chosen by rock-paper-scissors or a race. Adults write down the person they think, “This person is good,” or choose them using a machine. This is called “voting.” In America, votes are gathered in each place called a state, and counted by set rules.

💬 Adults Vote

🤔 Voting is an important promise for deciding together. What other things do we decide while taking turns and following rules?

After the votes are counted, the person chosen by the rules becomes president. The president does not decide everything alone. They work for the country while talking with many people. Because America is a big country, the president’s work can sometimes have a big effect on the world.

💬 The Person Chosen by the Rules Becomes President

🤔 For a leader, it is important to listen to everyone instead of deciding everything alone. If you were a leader, what kind of leader would you want to be?