Why Voting Matters

How do citizens make their voices heard? There is perhaps no greater example of democracy in action than voting. Historically, marginalized groups were excluded from the equal citizenship represented by suffrage. Readers will study the importance of voting, the history of the vote being denied to minority groups, how those groups struggled to attain that right, and what voting means to American citizens today. The comprehensive subject matter supplements the elementary social studies curriculum. Primary sources and full-color photographs make the information pop.

During the 2016 presidential election, America's election infrastructure was targeted by actors sponsored by the Russian government. Securing the Vote: Protecting American Democracy examines the challenges arising out of the 2016 federal election, assesses current technology and standards for voting, and recommends steps that the federal government, state and local governments, election administrators, and vendors of voting technology should take to improve the security of election infrastructure. In doing so, the report provides a vision of voting that is more secure, accessible, reliable, and verifiable.

The U.S. was founded on the principles of government of the people, by the people, and for the people. At first it worked pretty well, but as we moved from farms to villages to cities, things began to break down. We no longer had extended families to rely on. We started depending on government bureaucracies to solve problems for us. We stopped taking responsibility for fixing these problems for ourselves. We will have to take part in government once again, teach our children, through example, to take part in government. It starts at home and goes all the way to Washington. Voting, phoning, writing letters and personal involvement are the most powerful things we can do in order to effect change in our country. Taking time to create a better community, or working in local or national government are some ways. And supporting local candidates. "My vote doesn't count or I'm too busy, or too tired to vote," holds no water. Every vote counts. The government welfare programs should be a trampoline not a hammock. People need to become more independent, instead of government taking care of them. We can no longer afford to be silent or not be involved. "Speak up now or forever hold your peace." This book goes into the history of our country, from the early 1900s when the socialist movement started and grew, through the Great Depression in the 30s, through the 2nd World War-as I lived through these last two events, and how it got to where it is today. I have chosen to write this book in a possible last attempt to get the Great Silent Majority-those 65 million persons who chose not to vote in some of the last elections-to realize how important this is. We are on the tipping edge right now, so that there may be only one last chance to rescue our ship of state and turn it around. The whole Western Hemisphere is faced with the same problems-the freedoms they have or their government completely controlling their lives as it has done in China, Russia and Venezuela. Thank God, it's not too late, but get informed and VOTE!!!

In this concise, lively look at the past, present, and future of voting, a journalist examines the long and continuing fight for voting equality, why so few Americans today vote, and innovative ways to educate and motivate them; included are checklists of what to do before election day to prepare to vote and encourage others. Voting is a prized American right and a topic of debate from the earliest days of the country. Yet in the 2016 presidential election, about 40 percent of Americans—and half of the country’s young adults—didn’t vote. Why do so many Americans choose not to vote, and what can we do about it? The problem, Erin Geiger Smith contends, is a lack of understanding about our electoral system and a need to make voting more accessible. Thank You for Voting is her eye-opening look at the voting process, starting with the Framers’ perspective, through the Equal Protection amendment and the Voting Rights Act, to the present and simple actions individuals can take to increase civic participation in local, state, and national elections. Geiger Smith expands our knowledge about our democracy—including women’s long fight to win the vote, attempts to suppress newly enfranchised voters' impact, state prohibitions against felons voting, charges of voter fraud and voter suppression, and other vital issues. In a conversational tone, she explains topics that can confuse even the most informed voters: polling, news literacy, gerrymandering and the Electoral College. She also explores how age, race, and socioeconomic factors influence turnout. Ultimately, Thank You for Voting offers hope. Geiger Smith challenges corporations to promote voting, and offers examples of how companies like Patagonia and Walmart have taken up the task in a non-partisan way. And she reveals how get-out-the-vote movements—such as television star Yara Shahidi’s voting organization, Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote campaign, and on-the-ground young activists—innovatively use technology and grassroots techniques to energize first-time voters.

Encourage teens to recognize the importance of voting and making their voices heard in the democratic process with this timely book focused on Supreme Court decisions that came down to a single vote. Chapters examine key Supreme Court rulings and explore how these cases have affected the lives and rights of U.S. citizens—especially teens. Using a straightforward, impartial tone, the authors take a close look at often controversial cases and at the history of voting in the United States. The emphasis is involvement in local and national elections as well as other ways to be an engaged citizen. With an accompanying digital discussion guide, the book is a perfect choice for teachers and youth leaders to offer teens in the upcoming 2016 presidential election cycle.

Society can be cynical at times, and this can lead to apathy. One example of this is the question of whether or not a person’s individual vote in an election actually matters. Readers are exposed to the different points of view about this hot-button topic, and they learn to develop their own viewpoint about the democratic process and to back it up with relevant facts. They discover those facts in the engaging main text, eye-catching fact boxes, and helpful graphic organizers. Colorful, relatable photographs also help readers see how this debate is reflected in the world around them.

It's Americans' civic duty to vote in local and federal elections. Voting is what makes our country's democratic processes function properly and fairly. These books explore why voting is so important, who is able to vote in elections, and what exactly voting means. This series provides children with vital information that pertains to their future lives as citizens of the United States. These books also shed light on how civic participation is an essential element to our daily lives. Features include: Full color photographs help readers make connections with the text. Follows the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards of the National Council for the Social Studies.

Did you know that we vote on the presidential election in November because it's right after harvest time, but before brutal winter weather? There's all kinds of interesting details behind when and how people vote. People vote in a few different ways. Most often, voters go to a polling place to cast their ballot. There, voters may cast their ballot on a piece of paper or electronically. Paper votes are counted by hand, whereas electronic votes are tallied in real time. In other cases, people register to receive an absentee ballot. This means they can send their vote in to be counted through the mail. The information in this book provides readers with an idea of what their adult lives will require in terms of civic duties. Colorful photographs provide readers with close textual correlations.