Voting Laws Cause Confusion about Who Can Vote
In some instances, voting laws cause confusion about who is eligible to vote. For example, laws about whether citizens with a felony record can vote vary from state to state. In addition, efforts to keep voting registration records accurate have sometimes mistakenly removed eligible voters from the list. Listen to learn how various legal barriers influence voting and hear about the experiences of some of the people who have encountered these obstacles.
Read MoreDebate: Is the Constitution Outdated?
The U.S. Constitution, written over 200 years ago, established the structure of the new government, the basic laws of the land, and the rights of citizens. At the time, the institution of slavery still existed, and only white men had the right to vote. It might be argued that the document needs to be rewritten to better serve and reflect today’s diverse American society. It could also be argued that the Constitution is a living document that can be adapted to changing circumstances through amendments and flexible interpretation. Listen to learn about a play that explores the relevance of the Constitution and then debate: Is the Constitution outdated?
Read MoreDebate: Should the Senate Filibuster Be Changed?
Filibustering is a strategy used by U.S. senators to delay or block a vote on a bill they oppose. In the past, it involved non-stop speaking on the floor of the Senate to prevent the vote from taking place. Now, however, a simple email is enough to trigger a filibuster and require 60 votes to pass legislation rather than a simple majority. The filibuster was designed to encourage compromise, but in today’s highly divided Senate, it is often used as a tool by one side to obstruct the other side’s agenda. Listen to hear arguments for and against the current rules and then debate: Should the Senate filibuster be changed?
Read MoreNew Laws Worry Voting Rights Advocates
Georgia recently passed a series of laws restricting voting in the state. For example, the rules reduce the number of drop boxes where voters can cast ballots and forbid handing out food and water to people waiting in line to vote. The laws disproportionately affect minority communities. Other states are considering similar laws, and some see the trend as a deliberate effort to suppress voting among people of color. Listen to learn more about Georgia’s new voting restrictions, how they fit into U.S. history, and what they mean for voting rights in America.
Read MoreCURRENT EVENT | May 18, 2021
Like other Americans, the residents of Washington, D.C. pay taxes to the federal government, but they do not get a say in how that government runs. That’s because D.C., or the District of Columbia, is not a state, and its representative to Congress cannot vote on bills. Since D.C. was formed as the nation’s capital over 200 years ago, many have pushed for statehood so D.C. residents can be represented in government, but the effort has faced strong opposition. Listen to learn more about the history of D.C.’s struggle for statehood and where it stands today.
Story Length: 7:18
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09/22/2020
https://app.listenwise.com/students/events/1944-d-c-s-fight-for-statehood
Classroom Discussion Themes