Why Vote? A Right & A Responsibility

The program begins with a short history of voting, which lends support and context to the discussion of why it is important to vote. Students see how the right to vote has been fought for throughout history, and why the struggle for universal suffrage has been so long and hard. Examples of very close elections challenge viewers to consider how history would have been charged if these elections had different results. There is also a very helpful and easy-to-follow discussion of how to vote, including registration, absentee voting, and voting machines. Another important feature of the video is an overview of the various kinds of elections (local, state, and national; primary and general; referendums; constitutional amendments). Concluding the program is a balanced discussion of how to evaluate a candidate, which encourages students to take a thorough and critical look at candidates and their positions, their experience, their campaign platforms and other factors.