Replication Data for: Teaching Electoral Institutions Using In-Class Simulations

Understanding how institutions shape outcomes is an important skill for students of American political science. Simulations where students participate in mock-elections structured by real-world institutions can serve as a potent tool to aid students’ learning. This article presents a model for a simulated 2020 Democratic Iowa caucus. Following official procedures, students engage in debates over which candidate to support, and ultimately come to a final decision for their simulated precinct. The simulation helps students understand the institutions which structure Iowa’s caucuses, and aids them in forming conclusions about the strengths and weaknesses of those institutions. This simulation was implemented in a class on parties and elections in the Spring 2023 semester, where it proved to be an enjoyable exercise for students. It was re-implemented in the Spring 2024 semester as one of several simulated presidential nominations, and proved to be a helpful teaching tool.