Activity 2

Essential Question

Why is it important that every eligible citizen exercise the right to vote?

Background

Many people today think voting is the most important right Americans have. There are many places in the world where people do not have the right to vote. By voting, people can make sure that their opinion is shared with community leaders. If you are a citizen of the United States when you turn eighteen, you will also have the right to vote in local, state, and national elections. Voting may not be new to you, though—if you have helped to choose officers for a club or school government, you have already exercised your right to vote!

Instructional Strategies

Strategy 1

On-line Web Site

Direct students to the web site: How Does Government Affect Me? Have students navigate through the section "Inside the Voting Booth."
Using this site, talk about the importance of voting. Talk about the importance of each and every vote in the electoral process.
Pull up the results of elections that were decided by one. There is a section of dates that, when "clicked on", allow students to explore the power of one vote.

Check for Understanding

Printable Student View

Why is voting so important?
What are some reasons for voting?

Scoring Guide

Strategy 2

Active Involvement in the Political Process

Have students do research on one or two issues that will be important in the next local election.
Show them how to use newspapers, magazines, campaign literature, and web pages to gather information about these issues.
Have students take a position of one of these issues and create a leaflet that clearly shows this position.
Have students share their leaflet with their parents and discuss the importance of voting in getting their views represented in the next election.