This diary (my first or second, I can't remember which) was inspired in part by a comment in Jem6x's Recommended
diary. The commenter wrote that our educational system had failed citizens by neglecting to educate them specifically on the mechanics of voting. At least, that's what I took from it.
Here's the part of what dsteffen
wrote that jumped out at me:
Back during my college days when I still had the misguided notion that I had some sort of qualifications to teach others, I took some education courses. One of the principles we learned was that a test wasn't just a test of the students, but of the teacher. If too many students failed to pick up important parts of the lesson being tested, it meant you did a lousy job of teaching the subject.
The fact that so many people apparently didn't KNOW they weren't supposed to punch AND write in says to me that, in the area of educating the populace on the most basic right of citizenship, we've flunked.
This is important, especially as we face 2006 elections. If we're targeting populations who don't normally vote or may not have voted in years, are we doing enough to make sure that they know how to vote?
When I was in middle and/or high school (can't remember that for sure, either), it seems to me that we were required to take what were called "civics" classes. But I can't remember for the life of me a section that discussed the voting laws of my state, my rights as a future voter, or even the basic mechanics of voting.
Of course, if there had been, I probably would have slept through it anyway. But here's my point/suggestion/question: Along with agitating for verified voting and paper trails, why not also push for better education when it comes to voting itself? It's something basic, non-partisan, and virtually inarguable. It's a question any parent can raise and one that many other folks might feel comfortable supporting.
Furthermore, when we as a party or voting rights groups do voter outreach or blockwalking, why not include information on how you go about voting? The voter's guides I've seen talk lots about what to vote for, but they don't say much about what voters will face when they go to vote. I'm talking basic stuff. For example, voter's guides could include:
- A picture of the voting interface
- A quick rundown of the laws regarding voting requirements
- A quick rundown of voter's rights
- Tips on voting--making sure, for example, that people know they have the right to request assistance
- Oh, and yeah, maybe a pic of a dem president or some other visual reminder that Democrats care about citizenship and your rights.
Or some combination of the above.
This may be obvious or I may just be clueless, or both, but when I was registering people to vote, I don't remember anyone talking about educating voters on what to expect when they go to vote.
Just some thoughts.