What would your child do if they were elected to Congress? Kids have big ideas about how to make the world better! Elementary students answers are often sweet, funny and surprisingly thoughtful. Middle school and high schoolers often suggest important and meaningful change that would truly improve their schools or communities.
With the 2026 midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3, this is the perfect time to ask for ideas. Our free printable If I Ran for Congress writing prompt asks kids to choose the Senate or the House, write a campaign slogan, list things they’d work on to help people in their state and explain why people should vote for them. Then they get to design their very own campaign button!
Free Printable If I Ran for Congress Writing Prompt
This thought starter If I Ran For Congress writing prompt is a nice companion to our popular If I Was President writing prompt.
We have two worksheet writing prompt options – one that is more “cute” geared to younger elementary students and one that is a bit more formal for older students.
What Does Congress Do?
Congress is the part of our government that writes the nation’s laws. It has two parts:
- The Senate has 100 members, two from every state. Senators serve six-year terms.
- The House of Representatives has 435 members. States with more people get more representatives, and members serve two-year terms.
To run for the House, you must be at least 25 years old. To run for the Senate, you must be at least 30. That gives kids plenty of time to start practicing their campaign speeches!
National Geographic Kids has a great kid-friendly explanation of the three branches of the U.S. government, including how Congress works with the President and the courts.
Thought Starters to Share
If your child or student needs a little help getting started, try asking:
- What is one thing you would change to make your school better?
- What improvement or change would you like to see in your town?
- How would you help kids and families in our state?
- Do you want to create any law to better care for parks, oceans or animals?
- Is there a new law you think everyone should follow?
- Do you want to create a campaign slogan? Can you make it rhyme?
- What pictures would you put on your campaign button?
PBS Kids Election Resources
PBS KIDS for Parents has wonderful ideas for talking with little ones about voting. Let’s Vote! Talking to Children About Voting is filled with family activities, games and printables for ages 2 to 8, and their list of picture books about voting and elections is perfect for a cozy read-aloud before your child starts writing.
Print Your Free Printable Writing Prompts
Download and print your free If I Ran for Congress writing prompt below. We have 2 options below that print on one standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper and works great for elementary and middle school students. Younger kids can draw their campaign button too!
This links to the more “cute” and fun option for younger kids.
This links to the more formal option:
For the best print quality, grab the PDF from the link above rather than printing the images near the top of this post.
More Free Election Printables
- If I Was President Writing Prompt
- Free Printable 2026 Midterm Election Worksheets
- Free Printable 2026 Midterm Election Tracker
- Election Day Word Scramble
- Presidents Day Word Scramble
- Veterans Day Word Scramble
