Introduction

Enduring Knowledge: Voter turnout, which is essential to our democracy, is impacted by several factors within our electoral system including redistricting, reapportionment, and campaign spending.

Complete the 7.04 Voter Participation as you go through the lesson. You will submit your completed work at the end of the lesson.

Americans are proud of the rights and freedoms they have struggled to enjoy, including the right to vote and free elections. Yet, compared to most other democracies, we do not consistently turn-out in large numbers to vote. Many Americans claim they do not vote because they feel their vote does not really make a difference or because they failed to register to vote.

American citizens become eligible to vote at age eighteen. You may already be eligible or will soon be eligible to vote. So, what is the big deal about voting? Why should you take the time to go register and to exercise your right to vote?

Some people argue that low voter turnout is not a serious problem because it is a sign of a "satisfied electorate," while others feel it is a threat to representative democracy. In this lesson, you will learn about the factors that impact voter turnout and how the Constitution provides mandates to guarantee equal representation for each voter.

 

 

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

  • identify factors that motivate voters to participate in elections.
  • explain how reapportionment and redistricting impacts voter turnout.
  • identify reasons for low voter turnout.

The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Government objective(s): 7.2.

This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standards: R1, R2, R4, R6, R8, R9, W1, W3, W4, W6, W8, and W9.
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