Importance of Voting

Voting is one of the most precious rights we have as Americans.  Of course, it was not always that way. Over time, many people in our nation fought-and some gave their lives - for the cause of equal voting rights for all individuals. That tells us something about the power of the vote.  Like all hard - won rights, voting is something we should not treat lightly.  IT IS A RIGHT WE SHOULD RESPECT, AND IT IS A RIGHT WE SHOULD EXERCISE!!!!!!!!!!! 

The United States of America is a democracy.  This means that every American is involved in the decisions that the government makes.  Voting for political leaders is the best way for an American to have his or her voice heard.   Voting may not be new to you , though-if you have helped to choose officers for a club or school government, you have already EXERCISED your right to VOTE.  VOTING IS A BASIC REPONSIBILITY OF EVERY U.S. CITIZEN.

 

Understanding Your Rights

 Taking Steps Towards Voting

Getting involved in school elections is a great way to learn about the electoral process. Although, you may not be able or old enough to vote it is never too soon to become an active learner.  There are two  requirements in order to vote for the President:  (1) You must be an American Citizen and (2) You  must be 18 years or older.  If you were not born in this country you will have to take additional steps to become an American citizen.

 

This Year's Presidential Election

As you know a new President gets elected every four years.  November is a special month because that is when Americans go to the polls to vote for new President. This year's candidates are special take a look at the following chart below. 

 

 

NOMINEE	BARACK OBAMA    https://donate.barackobama.com	JOHN MCCAIN       http://www.johnmccain.com/
PARTY	DEMOCRAT	REPUBLICAN
HOME STATE	ILLINOIS	ARIZONA
RUNNING MATE	JOE BIDEN	SARAH PALIN
WHERE THE CANDIDATES STAND       EDUCATION:                         WAR IN IRAQ:                                    IMMIGRATION:	-  Wants to reform the NCLB Act. Like McCain, would reward high-achieving teachers. Would make science and math top educational priorities. Proposes increasing the number of children who are eligible for early-childhood education programs.   -  Opposed the 2003 military invasion of Iraq. Voted for a war-spending bill that would have withdrawn most U.S. troops from Iraq by March 2008. Opposed Bush’s plan to increase troops in Iraq. Supports removing most American troops from Iraq by the summer of 2010.           -  Co-sponsored immigration reform legislation that would have enhanced border security technology and provided a legal way for some illegal immigrants to eventually become U.S. citizens. Supported building a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border	-Voted for the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. NCLB requires public schools to achieve certain test standards before receiving federal dollars. Wants to reward top teachers with bonuses and supports using federal money to build new virtual schools.    -Voted in favor of using military force in Iraq. Backed President Bush’s veto of a war-spending bill that called for pulling most U.S. troops out of Iraq by March 2008. Supported last year’s increase of American troops in Iraq.               -Co-sponsored immigration reform legislation that would have enhanced border security technology and provided a legal way for some illegal immigrants to eventually become U.S. citizens. Supported building a 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexican border

 

 

 

 Interesting Facts:  Did you know.....

•  The United States used to be a nation made up mostly of farmers and since harvesting the crops was done by November of each year, the farmers had the time to vote.

• Voting is mandatory in more than 30 different countries around the world, including Greece, Australia and Argentina?  Once you reach the voting age you are bound by law to vote. (Face Facts by Janice Gates from Faces Magazine)
• In the 2001 New Hampshire election Neil Tillotson became the oldest American to vote at the age of 101.
• Women could not vote until 1920.

International Statistics and Facts on Voting:

• Different voting ages across the world:
• Countries with voting age of 20:  Japan
• Countries with voting age of 18:  United States, Canada, Mexico, most European countries (in Italy the age is 25 to vote for the Senate), most Latin American countries, most African countries
• Countries with voting age of 17:  Korea, Indonesia, Sudan
• Countries with voting age of 16:  Austria, Brazil, Cuba, Nicaragua, Sloveni

• In the 2000 elections 6.2 million new citizens had registered to vote,and over 85% of them voted.

• About 62 percent of Latinos could not register to vote in 2000 because they were either too young or not U.S. citizens; 59 percent of Asians could not register

• "The growing ranks of "new citizens" are increasingly important political players"

 

 

More Statistics on Voting:

Candidates views on issues

This website serves as a useful tool in finding out valuable information about where the candidates stand on many issues.  Some of the issues are Education, War in Iraq, Global Warming, Health Care and many others.

Additional information about this year's candidates

This website has almost all the information you need about elections, presidential candidates, and much more. It serves as a tool for Teachers, Parents, and kids to gain as much knowledge as possible on Politics.  Additionally, it provides viewers with current news events as well as a scholastic word wizard which defines any unknown vocabulary items.

What a difference One Vote Makes!

Have you ever wondered if one vote could really make a difference?  Well, check out this website and find out!  This website provides viewers with many interesting facts on the election throughout history. Most importantly, it gives details about incidents where only one vote actually made a difference. Therefore, if you are ever hesitant about voting, check out this website and your hesitation will be long gone.

 Get your own Voting Card

This website provides you with your own voting certificate which takes you through a journey to get a feel of what the voting process is all about.

 

 

 

Bibliography:

Durrett, Deanne. Right to Vote.  Facts on File, 2005.

Egan, Tracie. Voting. New York:  Rosen Central Primary Source, 2004.

Faces; People, Places and Cultures.Carus Publishing Company.September 2008.

http://teacher.scholastic.com

http://pbskids.org

http://teacher.scholastic.com

http://getoutthevtoe.org

http://njelections.org

http://theleague.com

http://scoop08.com

http://www.prrac.org/pdf/tactaquinnovdec2004.pdf

 

 By:  MarySue and Anna