The question in this episode of the PBS series "America From Scratch" series is whether voting in the United States should be mandatory. After listening to varying points of view on the question, viewers are asked to cast their own vote on compulsory voting.

Concepts

the voting rights act, voting, voting rights, civic duty, the united states constitution

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Have groups investigate the percentage of eligible voters who cast their ballots in the last four presidential elections
• Ask other groups to investigate the percentage of eligible voters in their community who cast their ballots in the last four non-presidential elections 
• Have groups investigate the barriers to voting, if any, in their community

Classroom Considerations

• Part of the PBS "America From Scratch" series
• Requires individual copies of the worksheet

Pros

• The worksheet provides a link where learners can check the voting requirements for their state

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.3 SL.11-12.3