VERA IS Sponsored by the NE Literacy Resource Center out of World Education, Boston MA Voter Education, Registration and Action

Preparing Adult Learners to Vote in the 2008 Election Welcome and Today’s Agenda What does voting make you think of? What is VERA? What are some VERA strategies that have worked in the past? Why Vote? A classroom activity What questions do you have? Evaluation

Workshop Objectives Participants will 1.clarify their thinking about voter education as part of ABE, GED, ESOL curriculum 2.learn how to implement 2 classroom activities 3.learn about voter motivation and education practices that have been successful in other programs 4. become familiar with New England’s non- partisan Voter Education, Registration and Action campaign

What is VERA? The VERA goal is to educate adult learners about voting and the topical electoral issues, and mobilize them to vote in the November 4, 2008 elections. Non-partisan - we do not endorse any candidates. A six-state regional effort sponsored by the New England Literacy resource Center. Each state has 1-2 organizers.

Why Bother? Your Vote is Your Voice! Adult learners’ well-being is profoundly affected by the outcomes of elections and of current public policy debates. Yet, it is sometimes difficult for adult learners to participate in elections and engage in public debates. Adult educators can play an important role helping to increase voter turn-out. Teachable moment that develops critical thinking skills, teaches social studies content and prepares students to explore advocacy and civic participation.

Voting is... 1.essential for... 2.similar to... 3.opposite of 4.logical extension of... 5.a potential problem for... 6.______________ because...

Teaching about voting is... 1.connected to... 2.like... 3.unlike... 4.problematic because... 5.important because... 6.__________ because...

Who here has already done voter ed or registration activities with adult learners as part of an instructional program? What has worked particularly well?

Study the Issues Watch a video about an issue that is important to students and discuss it, and which level of government has primary responsibility for it. Have students write letters to candidates about issues that are important to them. Have students watch the presidential debates as homework and discuss them in class. Study political cartoons in class. Create a bulletin board with newspaper clippings and comments about election issues.

Learn about the Voting Process Arrange a trip to the Board of Elections or Town Clerk to view voting machines and try them out. Hold a mock election (try to get real ballots from your local election committee). Invite writing and open discussion about students’ reluctance to vote, alienation, and sense of powerlessness. Make graphs of past voter turnout in your state, region or local area.

Learn about U.S. Politics Discuss different political parties in the U.S. and review their official Web sites. Invite different speakers to class from groups like the League of Women Voters, The Secretary of State, the Elections Commission. Collect and analyze literature and ads from different political campaigns. Compare the U.S. political system to those of other countries. Start with your students’ home countries.

Register Voters Organize a program Voter Awareness Night. Set up an election booth so people can practice voting. Encourage students to register themselves and others from their families and communities. Hold a workshop for teachers and volunteers on how to register to vote. Attend a local voter registration drive.

Get Out the Vote! Have your class present information on voting and elections to other classes. Encourage your students to get to the polls on Election Day. Consider offering your Election Day class time as a time when your students can go out and vote. Recruit other programs to participate in the VERA campaign.

Talk about the Election Results Make a “Wall of Voters” in your classroom or building where you can put up the photos of all the students who actually voted. Make graphs of election results in your local area. Stay in contact with the elected officials and hold them accountable for their campaign promises.

What goods and services have you and your family used that are paid by tax dollars? List as many thing as you can think of in 15 minutes. Share your list.

If you don't like paying taxes... Don't drive on paved streets or highways. Don't call 911. Don't send your children to public schools. Don't attend a state university. Don't expect a social security payment. Don't let Medicare pay your bills if you are over 65 or disabled. Don't call the police when you get robbed. Don't use the US Post Office, send all your letters via FedEx or UPS. Don't visit national parks or hike in national forests. Don't eat USDA inspected meat, cheese, eggs or produce. Excerpted from

If you don't like paying taxes... Don't take any medications tested and approved by the FDA. Don't drink, bath or otherwise use the water from municipal water systems. Don't expect a unit of measure like a gallon of gas to be a full gallon. Don't expect an elevator to work correctly or not fall. Don't use the services of a doctor who is licensed through the state. Don't expect research into medical problems such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, aging. Don't use the public library. Don't go to a state university affiliated hospital. Don't go to a state university. Don't watch state college sports. Excerpted from

If you don't like paying taxes... Don't ask for a farm subsidy for not growing crops. Don't use the court system. Don't call the fire department. Don't expect federal assistance if a natural disaster destroys your home or business. Don't expect the military to defend your country. Don't expect convicted criminals to be in prison and off your street. Don't get a passport or try to get out of the US without a Passport. Don't fly in an airplane that uses air-traffic controllers. Don't use currency printed by the US Treasury. Don't use a bank or credit union that insures your deposits through the FDIC. Don't go to a beach kept clean by the state. Excerpted from

If you don't like paying taxes... Don't use public transportation. Don't visit public museums. Don't cross a bridge. Don't use truck stops or public restrooms. Don't expect your tap water to be clean and germ free. Don't eat any food transported on roads. Don't expect any workplace safety standards, labor laws, or minimum wage. Don't expect highway signs. Don't expect anyone to plow your roads when it snows or sweep them when they're dirty. Don't expect your children to be able to ride the bus to school. Excerpted from

VERA IS Sponsored by the New England Literacy Resource Center at World Education, Boston MA New England VERA Coordinator: Kristen McKenna Voter Education, Registration and Action