VOTING
In Focus
"See more clearly when you are informed"
In the U.S., different states have different requirements for registering to vote for their representatives, and many do not take advantage of their right to vote. However, with so much contention around voter suppression and the electoral college, it is especially important for people to understand and utilize their vote. Below you will find key terms, statistics, and other useful tools to understand and talk about Voting. If you would like to know more, consider coming to an IYC event. Our next one can be found below in the section labeled Our Events. We host them virtually, on a wide range of topics, discussing policy, civics, and current events.
Key Terms You Should Know
Electoral College:
Tasked with electing the President of the United States, state representation in this voting body is determined by the number of representatives in each state.
Representative:
A person elected by the people of a Representative Government who is tasked with speaking and acting on their behalf.
Gerrymandering:
When district boundaries are altered to give an unfair advantage to certain political parties in an election.
Voter Registration:
Everyone in the US must register before being able to vote; states have different requirements for registration. Does not protect from voter suppression.
Voter Suppression:
When someone’s ability to vote is denied, discouraged, or disrupted.
Moments In History
1788 - States are given the power to govern voting.
1920s - 19th Amendment passed, granting white women the right to vote. Indigenous persons born in the U.S. were similarly granted the right to vote in 1924.
2013 - Shelby County v. Holder, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling removing a part of the VRA which protected against discrimination.
1870 - 15th Amendment passed, granting all male U.S. citizens the right to vote.
1965 - Voting Rights Act (VRA) guarantied all Americans could vote, particularly people of color.
Statistics
For the 2022 election, 31.8% of voters cast ballots by mail, up from 23.1% in 2018, according to Current Population Survey (CPS) data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Voter registration in 2022 was the highest in 20 years for congressional elections, according to the CPS data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The CPS survey from the U.S. Census Bureau found that at least 15% of U.S. citizens did not vote between 2018-2022 because they believe that their vote wouldn’t make a difference.
According to a study from Northwestern University and a poll from Emerson College, a celebrity bump may have helped to increase voter turnout:
Oprah → 12.5% uptick.
Taylor Swift → 11% uptick.
According to Brennan Center and American Civil Liberties Union in 2021:
6% of Black Americans could not vote because of disenfranchisement laws.
18% of voters with disabilities had difficulty voting independently.
32% of Native Americans in South Dakota found polls inaccessible.
8 states enacted restrictive voting laws.
39 states considered 408 restrictive voting bills this year.
Values
Accountability
Civic Responsibility
Knowing Your Rights
Using Your Voice
Equal Access
Notable Names
Fannie Lou Hamer
Merrick Garland
Stacey Abrams
Mabel Ping-Hua Lee
LaTosha Brown
Symbols
Our Events
Past
Future
Further Resources
Voting Infographic
Share what you have learned about Voting. Our Infographic has been designed to be shared easily by printing, emailing, or posting on social media. Click on the image to view or download the PDF File. (Not for commercial use.)
Celebrate & Create Event Video
Our crafting event for kids was lots of fun! Use your own materials to participate in our craft project. This event was co-facilitated by Lea Giddins, who was formerly at Women Creating Change and is now the Director of Community & Civic at the New York League of Conservation Voters. Watch the video to learn how to make your own "I Voted" pin or magnet! You can also make an event out of it by hosting your own Celebrate & Create: Voting crafting party. Feel free to share this video with others! (Not for commercial use.)
Take Action
Learn about your local, state, and national elections (e.g., attend events where you can meet candidates).
Learn the relationship between a Democracy and a Republic.
Commit to one weekly action to spread awareness about voting!
Register to vote, encourage others to do the same, & don't forget to vote!
Share our Voting Infographic with friends, family, and anyone and everyone you think would appreciate becoming more informed!