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Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Dec 14, 2015

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Rudy Guiler
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Page 1: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%
Page 2: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Voter Turnout is Declining

• In 1960, voter turnout was 63%

• In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Page 3: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

More Children Grow Up in a Non-voting Household

• Parental voting habits have a significant influence on whether a young person will vote

Page 4: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Kids Voting USA HelpsReverse the Negative Trend

• Students learn the importance of voting and being involved

• Develop skills needed to be informed, participating citizens

Page 5: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Kids Voting USA HelpsReverse the Negative Trend

• Learn how to have a voice in the decision-making process

• Voter turnout for 18-year-old KVUSA participants is 14 percentage points higher

Page 6: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Kids Voting USA Increases Adult Voter Turnout

• 3% - 5% increase in adult voting

• Kids impact their parents through the “trickle up” effect

• 81% of KVUSA teachers reported increased parent involvement

Page 7: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%
Page 8: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Kids Voting USA Is Unique – Students “Learn by Doing”

• Participate in an authentic voting experience using a ballot that replicates the adult ballot

• Learn about citizenship and democracy at an early age

• Lessons are reinforced several times before turning 18

Page 9: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Students Learn Life Skills

• Learn to gather and analyze information to make well-informed decisions

• Develop critical-thinking skills

• Experience a variety of opinions and ideas

Page 10: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Family Interaction is Enhanced

• Students are motivated to start political discussions at home

• Builds an increased sense of empowerment and self-esteem

• Voting and civic participation become a family affair

Page 11: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Kids Voting USA Connects the Classroom, Family & Community

• Partnerships are critical to program success

• Everyone can play a role in preparing tomorrow’s citizens

Page 12: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%
Page 13: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Kids Voting USA Is a National Organization

• It began with a fishing trip…

• 46 affiliate programs in 28 states

• 4.3 million students

• 10,600 schools

• 50,000 volunteers

• 17,000 polling sites

Page 14: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Kids Voting USA in a Nonpartisan Organization

• Not aligned with a specific political party or position

• Not financed by political parties

Page 15: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

No Child Left Behind

Kids Voting USA was authorized in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

(P.L. 107-110)

“…Programs to promote voter participation in American elections through programs,…such as Kids Voting USA. “

Page 16: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Kids Voting USA is a Nonprofit Organization

Made possible by individuals, corporations and foundations

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

The U.S. Department of Education

State Farm Insurance Companies

New Profit, Inc.

Home Depot

Brown & Bain, P.A.

Page 17: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Outcomes

Implement an excellent Kids Voting USA program Implement an excellent Kids Voting USA program in your own classroom and at your school site.in your own classroom and at your school site.

Plan and teach a workshop to your colleagues Plan and teach a workshop to your colleagues which is modeled on this one. which is modeled on this one.

Enlighten and excite students, teachers, and Enlighten and excite students, teachers, and parents about the Kids Voting USA program.parents about the Kids Voting USA program.

Page 18: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Process

• The local Kids Voting USA affiliate raises the funds, provides the classroom activity materials and inservice training, and recruits volunteers to offer an authentic voting experience.

• Teachers teach the classroom activities in grades K-12.

• On election day, students participate in an authentic voting experience.

Page 19: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Goals of Classroom Activities Instilling the importance of voting and

discovering the empowerment the votes gives to students,

Fostering skills of information-gathering and making critical decisions, across curriculum fields,

Eliciting higher order thinking skills and empathy toward others, and

Providing training in direct voting process.

Page 20: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Participatory Activities

• Self-Discovery

• Research shows - Groups

Master and retain knowledge

Develop problem solving skills

Develop verbal skills and empathy

• All of which embody goals for informed voters.

Page 21: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Civics Alive!

Civics Alive! is the core of the Kids Voting USA classroom activities and materials.

It includes an Educator’s Guide.

Civics Alive! is available by hard copy, online, or CD.

Page 22: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Civics Alive!

Civics Alive! is a comprehensive series of K-12 classroom activities that enable students to develop knowledge through personal experience:

Community is connected to the classroom.

Culminates in an authentic voting experience.

Page 23: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Civics Alive!

The Activities are grouped for grade levels

(K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12).

All activities include teacher plans, handouts, and additional resources.

The online version includes links to other websites.

The Activities have been correlated to national curriculum standards.

Page 24: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Civics Alive!

The activities are grouped into five core concepts:

My vote gives me power.

I have a right and a responsibility to vote.

I study the candidates and issues.

I register and vote.

I continue to make a difference.

Page 25: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Civics Alive!

Go to: www.kidsvotingusa.org

Select: Teachers Only

Click to directly access the classroom activities and materials page

User id: Civics

Password: Alive

Page 26: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Concept 2 I Have a Right and a Responsibility to Vote.

“Apathy Cartoon”

Pair up with someone near you.

Work together to complete the Political Cartoons Analysis 1 Sheet.

Share your analysis with the group.

Page 27: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Concept 3

I study the Candidate’s and Issues

“Three Changes”

Pair up with someone near you and stand, facing each other.

Look at each other very carefully.

Turn back-to-back and make 3 changes in your appearance. Raise your hand when finished.

Page 28: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

“Three Changes” cont.

Face each other and see if you can identify the three changes your partner made.

Key questions:

What activities can be used for multiple grade levels or content areas (i.e., English, Math).

Page 29: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Concept 4

I Register and Vote

“Campaign Bumper Sticker”

What are the characteristics of good bumper stickers you have seen?

What are some of the “hot issues” in your community?

Design and bumper sticker and share with the group.

Page 30: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Kids Voting USA activities can be used throughout the year.

Which activities at each level can be used with concepts other than voting concepts?

Which activities can be used for a different time period in history?

Page 31: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Destination Democracy

• High School service-learning classroom activity that integrates community service with civic engagement.

• Activities through

Voting

Voter registration

Working for political candidates

Educating young children about the political process

Addressing community issues

Page 32: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%

Next Steps

Page 33: Voter Turnout is Declining In 1960, voter turnout was 63% In 2000, voter turnout was 51%