1. MRS. COPA WILL EXPLAIN WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE AS WELL AS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT! VOTING

2. WARM UP Is voting important to our democracy? Why is voting so important to American democracy? If you asked one hundred Americans the same questions, how many do you think would agree that voting is important? What percentage of eligible Americans do you think voted in the 2012 elections? (Answer:) Does this surprise you? If yes, why? If not, why? Should more people be voting? What might it mean if less than three-fourths of registered voters participated in the 2012 elections?

3. WHAT FACTORS AFFECT THE LIKELIHOOD THAT A PERSON WILL VOTE? -Race/ethnicity -Education -Amount of time a person has lived in one location -Whether or not a person is a native or naturalized citizen -Socio-economic status (the economic, social and physical environments in which individuals live and work).

4. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL VOTER/NON- VOTER IN THE UNITED STATES: Gender Location Education Income Age Occupation

5. STUPID VIDEO BUT INFORMATIVE http://smartsongs.org/wp- content/themes/smartsongs2011/favicon.ico http://smartsongs.org/wp- content/themes/smartsongs2011/favicon.ico Smart Songs| Video| Voting Rap | Smart Songs

6. ONLY CITIZENS WHO REGISTER CAN PARTICIPATE IN PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTIONS.

7. QUALIFICATIONS TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN VIRGINIA Citizen of the United States Resident of Virginia and precinct 18 years of age by day of general election

8. BRAINSTORM Why must you be 18 to vote? Should younger students be able to vote? At what age should you be able to vote?

9. WHEN DO WE VOTE? A person must be registered to vote. People can register to vote when they visit the DMV, library, post office or by mail application Registration is closed 22 days before elections.

10. WHY DO WE VOTE? The President and the Vice-President are the only officials chosen by the entire country. We vote these offices every four years. Why do we hold presidential elections every four years? Why does the President/Vice President run together?

11. OTHER ELECTIONS: U.S. Congress (House and Senate) General Assembly (State representatives) Local Positions (Mayor, city/county council, etc.)

12. FACTORS IN PREDICTING WHICH CITIZENS WILL VOTE/REVIEW-WILL BE ON SOL!!!!! Education Age Income

13. WHY CITIZENS FAIL TO VOTE Lack of interest Failure to register The percentage of voters who participate in presidential elections is usually greater than the percentage of voters who participate in state and local elections. Every vote is important.

14. HOW CAN WE ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO VOTE? Brainstorm ways that might encourage more eligible voters to show up at the polls.