Dr. David Childs, D.D., Ph.D.
Northern Kentucky University
With election season upon us we have been reminded of the importance of not only voting in the midterm election but the importance of local, county and state races. As you read this article let us all be reminded of the importance of exercising our right to vote as US citizens. We have also provided the resources below to learn more about the voting process.
A poll worker hands out “I Voted Today” stickers in Washington, D.C., in 2012.
Gettyimages-154567819.
gettyimages-154567819
Originally published November 1, 2018
The US presidential election is held every four years and is watched very closely by people around the world. Most are familiar with the presidential election, and there is generally a higher voter turnout when voting for the president of the United States. However, many people do not realize that there are a number of very, very important elections that take place right in the middle of the president’s term. This is where we come up with the term “Midterm Election.” For example, there are governor’s races, House and Senate races and also many important local races that may be taking place. Local races might include those running for mayor, city council, county commissioner and the local school board. In the upcoming midterm election, voter turnout and who gets elected to office can either greatly strengthen or greatly reduce the president’s power.
It has been a historic struggle to get American citizens to exercise their voting rights and even more of a struggle to get people to participate in midterm elections. Furthermore, some US citizens only recently won the right to have their votes counted (Women and African Americans). Understanding the importance of voting in local, midterm and presidential elections is important for creating an informed citizenry in a democracy. It is important that social studies teachers help students understand the importance of the democratic process and the great role they can play in shaping the future.
SAMPLE LESSON PLAN:
Here is a lesson that will help students understand the importance of their voting rights and the importance of participating in the democratic process. They will also further understand the challenges many Americans had in earning their right to vote.
Objective: Students will analyze the 15th and 18th amendments in order to understand the importance of voting in local, midterm and presidential elections.
Standards:National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)- Standard 6
Power, Authority and Governance: Social studies programs should include experiences that provide for the study of how people create, interact with, and change structures of power, authority, and governance.”
Ohio Grade Eight Social Studies Standards
- Historical Thinking Skills: 1. Primary and secondary sources are used to examine events from multiple perspectives and to present and defend a position.1
- Civil War and Reconstruction: 12. The Reconstruction period resulted in changes to the U.S. Constitution, an affirmation of federal authority and lingering social and political differences.
High School Social Studies Standard:
American Government Syllabus
How the American people govern themselves at national, state and local levels of government is the basis for this course. Students can impact issues addressed by local governments through service learning and senior projects.
ACTIVITY/ASSESSMENTS
Fifteenth Amendment:
The Fifteenth Amendment (Amendment XV) to the United States Constitution prohibits the federal government and each state from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen’s “race, color, or previous condition of servitude”.
Eighteenth Amendment
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
ASSESSMENT ONE:
Response to Voting Amendments
Students can respond to the following prompts about each of the above amendments:
- Describe in your own words what right is being granted as a result of the amendment.
- Who is been empowered in this amendment?
- Who has been left out of this amendment?
- How is your life and also society in general better off as a result of the amendment?
- Discuss how understanding this amendment might help people know the importance of voting and participating in elections and the democratic process.
- In what ways can participating in midterm elections influence the lives of women and African Americans?
- In what ways can participating in local elections influence the lives of women and African Americans?
Class Discussion:
After students have been given adequate time to respond to the prompts, students can discuss their responses on multiple levels.
- They can participate in a “Think, Pair, Share” where they share their thoughts with a neighbor.
- They could also discuss their responses in small groups of three.
- Finally, the class can come back together for a whole group discussion.
ASSESSMENT TWO
Personal Diary Activity:
- Teachers can have students write a diary from a woman’s perspective during the nineteenth century and the effects of them not being able to vote and participate in the democratic process. They should write as if they were that person.
- Teachers can have students write a diary from a slave’s perspective and the effects of them not being able to vote and participate in the democratic process. They should write as if they were that person.
Articles on the importance of upcoming 2018 midterm election:
- The non-American’s guide to the midterm elections
https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/27/politics/us-midterm-election-explainer-intl-trnd/index.html - Midterm Elections 2018: Why They Are So Important
http://www.theweek.co.uk/donald-trump/95501/midterm-elections-2018-why-they-are-important - The 9 most important state legislature elections in 2018, explainedhttps://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/7/30/17614554/2018-midterms-state-legislature-elections-gerrymandering
- Midterm Congressional, State, and Local Elections
https://www.usa.gov/midterm-state-and-local-elections - Why Millennials Should Vote In The Midterm Elections
https://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbridges/2018/10/31/the-4-most-urgent-reasons-to-vote-this-election/#475001c43aad - Why are the midterm elections in the US so important?
https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/midterm-elections-important-180831171244043.html
Please share what resources you find useful for your teaching.
We are open to feedback and discussion. If you see any typos or grammatical errors please feel free to email the author and editor at the address below:
Dr. David Childs
childsd1@nku.edu
I found this article very interesting. I never have been one to be very political and found voting to be worth much, I had the mindset the my vote doesn’t matter. As of lately I realized how important voting truly is and after reading this article it helped me understand why it’s so important. The midterms are important times for everyone to vote
This article is very interesting to read. Growing up and voting, I have never really been into it, and thought “my vote doesn’t matter”. After reading this I truly have a better understanding as to why I need to vote. This article was interesting as it gave different lesson plans for students and teachers to teach their students the rights to voting. The midterms are just as, if not more important than the presidential election, so I now know that I need to get out and vote in order to try to influence one candidate into office.