Ch 4 - Participation - Class 3

4. What are recent reform efforts that involve elections?

1. Debate: Election Reform Proposals
• Let's finish our look at other reform proposals
• Should we have a Rotating Regional Primary System?
• Should we support the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact?
• Should we have Universal Voter Registration (see other countries)?
• Should we have Compulsory Voting?
2. Write: Letter to your U.S. Representative
• Who is your U.S. Representative?
• What are the traits of a good letter to a member of Congress?
• Briefly introduce yourself
• State that you are doing this for class
• Explain your request and the rationale behind it
• What suggestions would you give to your neighbor about his/her letter (posted on blog)?

Ch 4 - Participation - Class 2

4. What are recent reform efforts that involve elections?

1. Prepare: Election Reform Proposals
• We already looked at whether we should have Voter ID laws... let's look at other reform proposals
• Should we have a Rotating Regional Primary System?
• Should we support the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact?
• Should we have Universal Voter Registration (see other countries)?
• Should we have Compulsory Voting?
2. Debate: Election Reform Proposals
• What is your informed opinion on each proposal?

Ch 4 - Participation - Class 1

1. How do Americans engage in political participation?

2. How does political participation vary by demographic groups?

3. What effect do voter turnout trends have on policy development?

1. Quiz: Ch 04 - Participation
2. Summarize: Forms of Participation (EQ #1)
• What are the various ways Americans can participate in the policymaking process?
3. Analysis: Turnout by Demographic Groups (EQ #2)
• What does the Census Bureau data indicate about voter turnout for various demographic groups?
• According to page 14 of this Census Bureau analysis of the 2008 election, what are reasons for not registering and not voting?
• If they did vote, who did different demographic groups support in 2012 presidential election?
4. Current Events: Latino Vote (EQ #3)
• What was the voter turnout among the Latino vote in the 2012 election?
• What did Jorge Ramos say shortly before the 2012 election?
• What are some conservatives (i.e. Sean Hannity) saying after the 2012 election?
• What are some proposals on the table for immigration reform?