Making Voting Easier

Overview

In this lesson students will investigate what types of barriers to voting may currently exist. They will compare how local citizens vote to the way other areas in the nation vote and consider ways to increase voter turnout.

Grade Levels

9 – 12

Objectives

Students will:

• explain how local citizens can register to vote;
• describe what citizens must do to vote on Election Day;
• compare how other areas of the nation vote to the way local citizens vote and describe the pros and cons of these different systems; and
• describe ways to increase voter turnout.

Estimated Time

2 days

Materials Needed

• E-Learning Module: Minority Civic Participation
• Internet connection with Macromedia FLASH ® enabled
• Projection device

Procedure

Day 1

1. Explain to students that in 1965 Congress passed the Voting Rights Act. This act allowed federal officials to register voters in states practicing discrimination. Have students read their textbooks or conduct a quick search on the Internet to learn about the barriers African-Americans faced when trying to vote.
2. Have students share their research findings. Then review how ordinary citizens encouraged lawmakers to pass the Voting Rights Act.
3. Today, citizens do not face the major obstacles that African-Americans did when they tried to vote prior to 1965. However, some obstacles do exist. Guide students in considering what types of barriers to voting may currently exist, such as short polling hours, advance voter registration requirements, or difficulties with absentee ballots.
4. For homework, have students go to the local library or visit their local county and state government Web sites and find out what citizens must do to register to vote. Students should also find out what citizens must do to vote on Election Day.

Day 2

1. Invite students to share their findings.
2. Lead a discussion around the following questions:
• How easy is it to register to vote?
• What can be done to make it easier for citizens to register?
• What can be done to help diverse populations register?
• How easy is it to vote on Election Day?
• What can be done to make it easier for citizens to vote?
• What can be done to help diverse populations vote?
3. Have students watch the "Making Participation Easier" video from the Minority Civic Participation E-Learning module and see what concerns people have about the current voter registration and voting systems. Compare the views from the video with students' views.
4. The video mentioned that some states have made it easier for citizens to vote. For homework, have students select two other locations in this country and compare and contrast their voter registration and voting procedure to their own.
5. Guide students in considering the pros and cons of the different ways people vote across the country.
6. As a class, think of ways to make voting easier for local citizens.

Extension Activities

Invite someone from the county government to speak to the class and provide more information about voting. If time permits, allow students to share some ideas they have for increasing voter turnout.

Assessment

Basic Concepts and Processes

1. How can local citizens register to vote? What must they do to vote on Election Day?
2. Describe what citizens in other areas of the country must do to register and vote on Election Day. What are the pros and cons of these different systems?
3. What types of barriers to voting currently exist? What can be done to increase voter turnout?

Lesson Plan Feedback

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