Class Notes for the Day: |
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Starter: What was the percentage of voter turnout for 18-29 year-olds in the last midterm elections?
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1.How accurate was your prediction?
2.What most surprised you about this data?
3.What question do you have about this data?
4.In general, how would you characterize midterm election turnout in the U.S.?
5.How do age and race impact voter turnout?
6.Why is that?
7.What is one consequence of this?
8.Based on the data, what generalization could you make about the typical midterm election voter?
9.Which party do you think mostly benefits from this?
10.The liberal base has been energized by the Trump presidency and issues like #metoo, DACA and gun control. How do you think this is going to impact voter turnout in this year's midterm election?
11.Historically, the president's party usually suffers loses in midterm elections. How much do you think the Republicans will suffer in this year's midterm?
12.What kind of policy do you think might result from a big Democratic victory in the midterm election?
Review
How are voting rights protected, and how have voting procedures been altered to respond to challenges?
Word of the Day: polarization
- Define it
- Use an example
- What has been the trend in political party polarization in the last 30 years?
- What might account for this?
Why Don't People Vote
Most people who do not vote are simply not registered. They have many reasons for doing so, but several of those who are registered do not vote as well. Here is an article from Pew about the reasons people don't vote.
Changes to the Voting System
We will assume that we want to maximize voter turnout. Create a poster that addresses the following:
- Describe 3 aspects of the American voting system that contribute to low voter turnout.
- What changes would you make to the voting system? How would you implement these changes?
- Explain 2 ways in which your changes would benefit the system.
- Anticipate two problems which may now arise—how would you address them?
Closer: What are the primary reasons many Americans to do not vote? What impact does this have on democracy and the policymaking process?
- Make a claim here!
- Support your claim with TWO pieces of accurate and relevant information.
- Use reasoning to explain why your evidence supports your claim.
- Respond to an opposing or alternative perspective.