Voting – A Tutorial
By
John C Abercrombie
The right to vote is often dismissed by way too many people. This is evident in the number of people who take the right seriously. For purposes of this post, we look at the number of people who exercise this significant right. Some estimates place the number at 60% or less, with a drop off in that number in nonpresidential years. This results in a significant swing as those most motivated are those who lost in the last presidential election.
This is the reason that we must be engaged in ALL elections, or we take a backward step every time we do not make the effort to vote. This is not intended to tell you how to vote, only to participate. There are many encumbrances that are being introduced to make the process difficult. Unfortunately, it seems as if Blacks are targeted in these efforts.
- The number of voting machines seems not to be sufficient in many areas
- Making it illegal to provide even a bottle of water to an elderly person required to stand in long lines for extended periods of time, especially when other are able to vote in minutes
- Jerrymandered districts which allow for voter nullification. These lines drawn on a partisan basis, dilute or concentrate people as convenient by the party drawing the lines.
- Random elimination of people from the voting rolls – sometimes this is targetd
- Denial of voting access to those who may have a record
All of these matters can be addressed by voting for people willing to discuss the matter and take action
Presidential elections are held every 4 years; thus, the last presidential election was held in 2020 and the next is scheduled for 2024.
- Members of the House of Representatives are elected to two-year terms. This is often referred to as the lower chamber of the United States Congress (the senate is referred to as the upper chamber). Together they make up a bicameral legislature. Bicameral simply means a body having two branches or chambers.
- The composition of the House is composed of representatives is based on the population as determined by the United States Census Bureau. Each state is entitled to at least one representative.
- All representatives are elected by direct vote.
- Since 1913 the number of representatives has been 435. This shows the importance of being counted in the census held every 10 years. Many people were skeptical of the government during the 45th administration and were not counted.
- The Senate is established by Article One of the United States Constitution
- There are two senators representing each state. They serve staggered terms of six years.
- There are one hundred senators representing fifty states
- The people of Washington, DC do not have representation since they are not in any state, yet they have more people than the state of Wyoming.
- The Vice President of the United States serves as presiding officer and president of the Senate and has a vote only if the senators are equally divided and in a tie.
- In the absence of the Vice President of the United States, the president pro tempore presides over the senate.
As the upper chamber, the senate has several unique powers
- Approval of treaties
- Confirmation of Cabinet secretaries
- Federal Judges including Federal Supreme Court Justices
- Flag Officers
- Regulatory Officials
- Ambassadors
- Federal Uniformed Officials
- Federal Executive Officials
- The Senate conducts trials of those impeached by the House of Representatives.
The Senate is considered a more deliberative and prestigious body because of its longer terms, smaller size, and statewide constituencies. This is believed to be more collegial and less partisan.
Before 1913 Senators were appointed by legislators of the states represented but the 17th Amendment. The Senate Majority Leader manages the legislative and executive business.
Major emphasis is often placed on the Presidential election, but without the vote of the House and Senate, the power of the President is diminished. This is why it is so important to factor this in when making your decisions.
Often overlooked are other major roles in government that have previously flown under the radar. While the Attorney General is a cabinet level position. The United States attorney general is the chief law enforcement officer of the federal government, principal advisor to the President on legal materials and a member of the Cabinet.
There are State, County and City attorneys that are often elected and they set the tone of the law. Make decisions on which cases are prosecuted and which laws to expend the most time on. We have seen recent cases where the Breonna Taylor where local officials refused to prosecute officers, the Ahmad Auberry case and so many more that it is staggering, yet we do not realize the importance of this position when we vote.
Likewise, Sheriffs are elected positions, Police Chiefs on the other hand are selected by members of the City Council and this is why it is important to be knowledgeable of all positions and their effect on your life.
We need to be aware of what each and every office up for election is responsible for and it is not out of the question to run for office yourself. Government is NOT a spectator sport!
There are no unimportant elections!
The first focus of thhis mini-series is on the 15th amendment because it is the Reconstruction amendment that granted Black Men the right to vote. Men is emphasized as the 15th amendment did not grant the right to Black women.
To see other posts in this mini-series, check here
This series will be continued.
To see the full listing of post (over 250 and counting), click on our Blog list
For Black History Month 2020, we posted daily. These posts focus on the reality of Black life in America after the Civil War culminating in the landmark Brown v Board of Education that changed so many of the earlier practices. To see the posts, click here
For Black History Month 2021, we focused on Black Medical Achievements, Inventors and Scientists. To see those posts, click here.
For Black History Month 2022 we focused on “Health and Wellness”. To see the entire series, click this link.
For Women’s History Month 2022 we introduced you to 31 amazing Black women we should all know. To see the entire series, click this link.
We also posted a 5 part mini-series on the 100th anniversary of one of the most horrific massacres in the history of America. Hundreds of Blacks were slaughtered and 10,000 left homeless in this largely unknown event. To see the posts, click here.
We also did a mini-series on the Schomburg Center for Research a most amazing collection of Black history and culture. To see this mini-series, click here
The Schomburg Center
A world class collection of Black History inspired by a 5th grade teacher who told Arturo Schomburg that there was NO African history. Nothing of value. Schomburg dedicated his life to proving that teacher wrong and Schomburg did an amazing job with his collection.
Schomburg – The man who built a library
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The 15th Amendment Explained: The Constitution for Dummies Series 1
Wrap your head around the 15th Amendment and its effect on the nation.
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Importance of Voting Lesson
Grade 9th grade – 12th grade
Topics History & Social Studies / Political Science & Civics
Resource Type Activities, Curriculum, Presentations
File Type ZIP (Ensure you have the correct software to view this file)
Page count 43 pages
Get this amazing three-day lesson on the importance of voting. Every year when I teach my government class my students are super excited to learn about voting in America. I teach them about the voting process and how important it is to our democracy through this voting lesson.
I can’t think of a better way to get them civically engaged than to teach my students about the importance of voting, reasons why people do and do not cast their ballots, why low voter turnout is a problem, and how voting is essential to our democracy.
ABH – Government Voting Lesson
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Cell Phone
Buy with confidence from Amazon
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Reconstruction Amendments: 15th Amendment 2
Jeffrey Rosen of the National Constitution Center in conversation with Walter Isaacson of the Aspen Institute.
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Millennials’ and Generation Z Guide to Voting: What No One Ever Told You about the Importance of Voting
How can Millennials and Generation Z get out the vote and make an impact?In our teens, 20s, and 30s, we may not always see the importance of voting. Today’s Millennials and Generation Z are a huge political force—who just need to fl ex their power. Millennials’ and Generation Z Guide to Voting helps young people understand voting in the U.S., including its history of disenfranchising young people and others, nuts and bolts of how to register and vote, and why their participation is so vital for the health of our democracy.This practical guide includes:— Details about how the voting process works and understanding how it can varyfrom state to state— A brief synopsis of how the Republican Party and Democratic Party have changedand evolved since their founding— An understanding about how the Supreme Court has recently paved the way forvoter suppression and unprecedented levels of money to enter politics and howyoung voters have been negatively impacted as a result— A reminder that young voters have the power to shape the United States fordecades to come, but only if they so choose
ABH – Millenial and Gen Z Guide To Votingg
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Computer
Outstanding Selection
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15th Amendment Panel Discussion: Who Can Vote: Re-Examining the 15th Amendment 3
The Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University, in conjunction with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, held a symposium in Washington, D.C., on March 14-17, 2017 entitled “Reflections on the Impact of the Reconstruction Amendments: A Research Symposium on the Social and Economic Outcomes of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.” The conference was devoted to characterizing the state of knowledge and identification of critical new directions for research in the social and behavioral sciences, and on economic inequality in the context of the impact of the Reconstruction Amendments. Conferees included interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate and graduate students, senior scholars who are historians, economists, sociologists, and psychologists from Duke University and other institutions located in the Washington, D.C., area and across the United States. The event was held held at the National Archives Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, giving participants the opportunity to see historical documents related to the period.
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How to get Elected to State & Local Office: A beginner’s guide
As a beginner’s guide, How to get Elected to State & Local Office, serves as a “how to” manual for someone who is interested in running for office for the first time or a candidate looking to improve the way they campaign. It offers advice on the most effective and efficient use of both time and money in a bid for a local office whether that office is a paying office or not.
ABH – How to Get Elected to State and Local Office
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Electric Scooter
Unbelievable Selection
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The History of U.S. Voting Rights | Things Explained 4
Who can vote today looked a lot different from those who could vote when the United States was first founded. This video covers the history of voting rights, including women’s suffrage, Black disenfranchisement, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the various methods American voters can cast their ballots today.
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Vote for Our Future!
Every two years, on the first Tuesday of November, Stanton Elementary School closes for the day. For vacation? Nope! For repairs? No way! Stanton Elementary School closes so that it can transform itself into a polling station. People can come from all over to vote for the people who will make laws for the country. Sure, the Stanton Elementary School students might be too young to vote themselves, but that doesn’t mean they can’t encourage their parents, friends, and family to vote! After all, voting is how this country sees change–and by voting today, we can inspire tomorrow’s voters to change the future.
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Electric Bike for Adults
Ain’t Your Grandparents Bike
ABH – Electric Bike For Adults
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The History of U.S. Voting Rights | Things Explained 5
Who can vote today looked a lot different from those who could vote when the United States was first founded. This video covers the history of voting rights, including women’s suffrage, Black disenfranchisement, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the various methods American voters can cast their ballots today.
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The value of voting should not be diminished by anyone. It must not be taken for granted as it affects every aspect of your life. While the President of the United States is considered most important, it is the supporting roles that are essential for this success. For this reason, it is necessary to be knowledgeable of the power you have. Many of our ancestors knew the value and paid the ultimate price to give you the opportunity you have. It is incumbent to exercise this right in order to secure it for your children and grandchildren. Advice of the day, if you are not registered to vote – Register! If you are registered – VOTE!