Citizen Advocacy Center

Young Voters Handout

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YOUNG VOTERS AND

ELECTIONS

 

TRUE OR FALSE?

 

1.   You must be at least 21 years of age to vote.

 

2.   Since 1971, more and more young voters (under the age of 24) have voted each year.

 

3.   Youth volunteerism is on the rise in social service settings (religious-based services, soup kitchens, hospitals, schools, etc).

 

4.   Youth volunteerism is on the rise in

      democracy-building settings (volunteering with a political campaign, volunteering time on a   political cause).

 

 

Page Two

 

 

QUESTION:

WHAT DO YOU WANT OUT OF YOUR GOVERNMENT?

 

Do you think that government should help families achieve “The American Dream?”

 

Do you think that government impacts your life now?

 

Do you like how government impacts your life now?

 

What changes would you make in how government impacts your life?

 

How would you make those changes?

 

 

Page Three

 

 

POLITICAL ACTION PLAN

 

1.   Make some noise!

      *    Freedom of Expression is YOUR right.

 

2.   Get media coverage.

      *    What audience are you trying to reach?

      *    How can you reach that audience?

      *    How can you get the media outlet you want to cover the story?

      *    What messages will work with the audience you are trying to reach?

 

3.   Create.

      *    Letters, faxes, videos, emails, websites, on-line discussion groups

      *    Voters’ Guide

 

4.   Write or Call.

      *    Letter to the Editor

      *    Your representatives

 

 

 

 

Page Four

 

 

 

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?

 

1.       Volunteer.

 

2.       Join a national or local organization.

 

3.       Petition

 

4.       Show up — represent your views, and hear the views of others to find solutions to common problems.

 

5.       Give — time, money, clothing, ideas.

 

6.       Organize — if it isn’t being done well now, do it better.

 

7.       Protest.

 

8.       Lobby.

       

9.       Testify — school     board, city council, and legislators all need your input.

 

10.   Campaign.

 

11.   Register to Vote.

 

12.   Vote.

 

13.   Run for Office.

ISSUES FOR TODAY’S STUDENT

 

1.       EDUCATION

        a.     Quality of Education

        b.     Disparity between rural, suburban, and urban

                schools.

        c.     School /Student Safety

        d.     Teenage Pregnancy

        e.     Financial Aid

 

2.       VIOLENCE

        a.     Gun Violence

        b.     Domestic Violence

        c.     Child Abuse

 

3.       MONEY

        a.     Vote with your wallet.

        b.     Minimum Wage

        c.     Disparity in incomes between sexes/races

 

4.       ENVIRONMENT

        a.     Environmental Discrimination

        b.     Clean Water

        c.     Clean Air Act

 

5.       CIVIL RIGHTS

        a.     Hate Crimes

        b.     Racial Profiling

 

 

 

 

Page Six

 

 

WHY BOTHER?

 

*    30 million citizens age 30 and younger who were eligible to vote, but who did not vote in 2000.

 

*    16 million were likely or potential voters.

 

*    There are only 12,419,293 people in Illinois.

 

*    There are only 5,376,741 people in Cook County.

 

 

IMAGINE THE IMPACT

 

©Copyright 2004 Citizen Advocacy Center.  All rights reserved.  No part of this lesson plan may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior, written permission of the Citizen Advocacy Center. The Citizen Advocacy Center is a 501(c)(3) non-pofit, non-partisan community based legal organization. For information about the Center, or to make a tax deductible contribution, visit www.citizenadvocacycenter.org, call 630.833.4080. The Center is located at 238 N. York Rd., Elmhurst IL 60126