Youth Vote

Youth Vote packages elements of different Thinkfinity resources into a single, multifaceted afterschool or classroom project.

Objectives

Overview

Why are 18- to 20-year-olds consistently under-represented in the voting booth? What inspires young adults, or people of any age, to participate in a national dialogue? This rigorous, creative project empowers high school-age youth to learn the mechanics of voting and to explore the reasons behind people's choices so that they may, ultimately, increase voter participation in their community.

Ask the group to brainstorm a list of favorite whole-group games or activities. Then invite everyone to vote on his or her favorite from the list. Using different strategies for tallying results (see resource), compare and contrast the outcomes. Then guide the participants in comparing and contrasting voting methods in order to expose problems that they may never have contemplated.

View resource: Will the Best Candidate Win? by illuminations

Focus on: Activities 1 & 2

Engage in a group discussion about why people ages 18-20 traditionally turn out to vote in low numbers. What are the costs and benefits associated with voting in national elections? What issue or candidate would be most likely to inspire them to vote? This handout on voting provides helpful background information for these conversations.

View resource: The Economics of Voting: What Do You Mean My Vote Doesn't Count? by ARTSEDGE

Focus on: Conclusion

As a group, look at this historical poster that encourages people to vote. Analyze both the visual and verbal messages that it conveys. In the next activity, the group will apply these elements of persuasion to their own poster promoting voter participation.

View resource: Campaigns and Elections Extended Activity by Smithsonian's History Explorer

Focus on: Campaigns and Elections Extended Activity on PDF page 3; the poster on PDF page 10

Building on the discussions leading up to this point, ask the group to brainstorm ideas and strategies that encourage voter participation. Then use some of these strategies in a poster that encourages voter participation. Offer various drawing and art materials, or graphic design software, so that the group can produce a compelling multimedia work to cap off this project.

View resource: Who Can Vote for President? by ARTSEDGE

Focus on: Guided Activity

Age: High school

Themes: Voting, democracy

Duration: 2-3 weeks