Election Day (Election '16, Part 1)
- Alexandra Feldman
- Jan 21, 2016
- 5 min read
Photo courtesy of Wix
Let's undertake the mindblowing activity of looking into the future, the present, and the past at the same time! [Green words are links to more info.]
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It's November 8, 2016. Election Day. Tuesday.
Tuesday?
In 1845, a lot of stuff happened that would never even fit into the Internet, but we can try. For one thing, Ireland experienced a devastating potato famine, and over half of all Irish people immigrated to America. Just as many Germans came, fleeing a host of problems back home. Many immigrants were treated with hostility (sound familiar?) and living conditions were deplorable, but better than before, eh? Ultimately, immigrants' willingness to work for low wages and long hours was key in making America grow, in many ways, at an unprecedented rate. Remember the immigrants when you hear that in 1845, the Industrial Revolution was bringing huge changes throughout Europe and America. At this time, however, most Americans were still farmers. Wednesday was Market Day. The rest of the week was mainly devoted to worship. Thus, Tuesday was most convenient for people (white men, that is) to get on a horse 'n buggy, travel all day to the county seat, vote, and travel back home, hopefully in time for dinner.
Nowadays, Tuesdays are work days for most people. Election Day is no exception. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2010, 25% of people didn't vote because they were too busy or couldn't get to the polls. In fact, America has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the developed world. Though there are Election Day alternatives like absentee, mail, and early voting, they aren't available in all states. For some people, the only option is standing in a long line to cast a ballot -- and not everyone is willing or able. Moving Election Day to the weekend has been proposed in Congress, with little success. If we did move Election Day, would more eligible Americans vote? Or would that be only a "Band-Aid" solution to a more complex problem? In any case, does your vote even matter? Aren't you just a drop in an ocean of data?
Besides, you're probably not even old enough to vote. Measly child. But what if the minimum voting age were changed from 18 to, say, 16?
Back in the future, a few months from today, people stand in long lines to cast their ballots. For whom? For one of several candidates chosen earlier, either by caucus or primary election. No, the candidate who gets the most votes from people isn't always the one who wins. That's why George W. Bush got the presidency in 2000, though Al Gore got the most votes: something called the electoral college. Does the electoral college make sense, can it be altered to fit our times, or should we throw it out completely? You can find arguments for and against.
Come January 20, 2017, America's new president will be sworn into office. The question is, who? Who will be the most effective leader of arguably the most powerful nation on Earth (and, um, is that the person who'll become president?)?
That's what we need to decide (assuming we have full power over this decision, which is arguable). I mean, that's the purpose of voting, isn't it? So, how do we select the president?
Since first entering the race, the 2016 presidential candidates have been making clear what they would do if they were elected. They've touched on many issues, including those related to:
Society
Birth control: should insurance companies be required to provide it for free? And what regulations should be placed on abortion? Look at 1972.
Same sex marriage: should it be legal? The Supreme Court says so.
Death penalty: what if the prisoner's innocent?
Confederate flag: should people have the right to fly it, considering some view it as a symbol of slavery?
2nd Amendment: more or less gun control?
Religion: should businesses have the right to deny service based on religious belief?
Environment
Protection for National Parks: how much?
GMO labeling: if a food has genetically modified ingredients (as opposed to organic ones), should it be labeled so consumers know?
Foreign Policy
Military spending -- more or less?
What should we do about ISIS (also known as Islamic State or Da'esh), one of the deadliest terrorist groups in history?
Should suspected terrorists be granted constitutional rights?
Education
Common Core: fine the way it is?
What should we do to make postsecondary education -- college, trade school, etc. -- more affordable?
Healthcare (your life depends on it)
Though America spends a lot on it, it's the only highly developed country in the world that doesn't ensure affordable healthcare to all citizens. According to the Institute of Medicine, this results in around 18,000 preventable deaths annually. How should we revise the healthcare system?
Marijuana: should it be legalized?
Vaccination: mandatory for all kids?
Economy
Should employers be required to pay men and women who do the same job (for the same number of hours, etc) the same salary?
If we want to make college, healthcare, etc. universal, how do we fund it? Whose taxes should we raise, and how much?
Immigration
Border security: more or less?
Should immigrants to the U.S. be required to learn English?
Should illegal immigrants have access to government-subsidized (funded) healthcare?
Should we accept refugees from the Syrian crisis? If so, how many?
Whew. That's a lot to mull over. Let's take a break. In the next article, you'll get an overview of political parties and the presidential candidates in the running, plus more of those annoying questions.
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Now that you hopefully have a better idea of some major issues in politics, you might want to find out what presidential candidate has views most similar to your own.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on anything mentioned in this post. If you find any errors -- here or anywhere on the website -- please point them out! There's a nifty comment section below, if you hadn't noticed.
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This article is part of a series. Read Part 2, on political parties, and Part 3, on the current presidential candidates, by clicking on those links.
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Bibliography
Coleman, Mary Sue, and Arthur Kellermann. Insuring America's Health: Principles and Recommendations. Rep. Institute of Medicine, 13 Jan. 2004. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.
"Election Day on Tuesdays?" Infoplease. Federal Election Commission, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.
"Irish and German Immigration." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
McElwee, Sean. "Most Americans Don’t Vote in Elections. Here’s Why." Al Jazeera America, 27 July 2015. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.
Peck, Taylor, and Nick Boutelier. "2016 Presidential Election Quiz." ISideWith. N.p., 2016. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.
Simmons-Duffin, Selena. "Why Are Elections On Tuesdays?" NPR, 23 Oct. 2012. Web. 18 Jan. 2016.
"The Potato Famine and Irish Immigration to America." Constitutional Rights Foundation. Common Core, Winter 2010. Web. 19 Jan. 2016.
Related Social Studies Standards
SS.7.C.2.4
Evaluate rights contained in the Bill of Rights and other amendments in the Constitution.
SS.7.C.2.5
Distinguish how the Constitution safeguards and limits individual rights.
SS.7.C.2.10
Examine the impact of media, individuals, and interest groups on monitoring and influencing government.
SS.7.C.2.13
Examine multiple perspectives on public and current issues.
SS.7.C.3.6
Evaluate Constitutional rights and their impact on individuals and society.
SS.7.C.3.12
Analyze the significance and outcomes of landmark Supreme Court cases including, but not limited to, Marbury v. Madison, Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. the Board of Education, Gideon v. Wainwright, Miranda v. Arizona, in re Gault, Tinker v. Des Moines, Hazelwood v. Kulmeier, United States v. Nixon, and Bush v. Gore.
SS.7.C.4.1
Differentiate concepts related to United States domestic and foreign policy.
SS.7.C.4.3
Describe examples of how the United States has dealt with international conflicts.
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