Lesson 12: To vote or not to vote? UNIT 3: CITIZENSHIP, PARTICIPATION & THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

 SWBAT discuss a citizen’s responsibility with relation to voting and assess whether the act of not-voting is a valid form of protest. LESSON OBJECTIVE

 Protest  A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.  What would you protest against?  Is not voting during an election a form of protest?  Is it equal to other forms of protest used throughout history?  Discussion  Do you believe politicians would respond to this form of protest? WORD OF THE DAY/INITIAL ACTIVITY

 When to vote  What you vote for  Bills  Referendums  Candidates  Who you vote for VOTING

 Voting and not voting  Joining a political organization  Contributing money  Volunteering for a political campaign POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

Hillary Clinton, On Voting  “Voting is the most precious right of every citizen, and we have a moral obligation to ensure the integrity of our voting process.”  What is Hillary Clinton saying here?  1 minute to write down a response to this question:  Is voting truly, “the most precious right of every citizen”?  Is making the decision to not-vote or cast an empty ballet just as precious a right?  Turn & Talk: 30 seconds per partner  Share Out MAJOR PURPOSES OF GOVERNMENT: TURN & TALK

 Focus Question: How can the act of not voting serve as a form of protest?  Read When Not Voting is the Loudest Vote  How do elections reflect the voice of the people?  How are the voting habits of the majority of Americans a reflection of our candidates?  How does the author compare the ability to vote to the ability to donate money to a candidate?  In your opinion, are citizens who chose not to vote sending a message to politicians or is it a pointless endeavor? Explain your answer.  Share Out ACTIVITY: OPINION

 Exit Ticket  Considering today’s activity and mini-lesson, is not-voting an equivalent act of political participation to voting and other activities?  Discussion  How might society encourage its citizens to actively participate more in government and vote for candidates they like rather than not-vote for candidates they don’t like?  Parking Lot  Develop one critical thinking question from today’s mini-lesson or activity.  Write onto post-it and place onto parking lot. You will address these questions as a class during the initial-activity each following day. SUMMARY