Voting Lesson

Young Voices, Strong Votes:
Mobilizing Youth Participation

in Democracy

Warm-up
activity

● Please turn to the

people next to you and
discuss this statement,
“Your voice, your vote.”

● Then write on one side

of the sticky note what
this statement means
to you.

● After we will ask for

your thoughts on the
statement.

Objectives

Today we will be discussing:

-The power of the young voters.

-Your responsibility, obligation, and duty as an American citizen to VOTE.

-The voter registration process and the criteria for voting in the State of
Texas.

-The young people’s movement.

The Power of Young Voters!

●Nearly every presidential election cycle
the young voter turnout has increased.
Just from 2016-2020 it went up from
39% - 50%.

●In 2022 the national young voter turnout
was the second highest it had been in
30 years!

●“We aren’t going to wait for today’s
leaders to invite us to the
decision-making table; we’re going to
build our own seat at the table.”

Your Responsibility, Obligation, & Duty

-Just like serving on a jury, paying taxes,
and observing the law, it is your
responsibility, obligation and duty as a
citizen of the U.S. to vote.

-There are actually a few different ways
voting can be taken away from you which
include: being ruled mentally incompetent
by a judge or committing a felony and not
completing all terms of the sentence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvS80YLpN
eA

Voter Registration & Criteria

-Is a U.S. citizen.

-Is a resident of the county

-Is at least 18 years old.

-Provides proof of identification.

-Voting in one’s assigned precinct.

-Allowing 30 days for processing of a voter
registration application or change.

-Texas also allows for early voting during
specified times and at specified places
before an election.

-Is not a convicted felon (unless sentence
completed)

-Has not been judged mentally
incompetent by a court.

Voter Registration Resources

-Here are a few resources to help you
register to vote as well as inform you:

-https://votersoftomorrow.org/

-https://www.rockthevote.org/

-https://www.movetexas.org/

-Important election dates for
2023-2024:

-https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/vote
r/important-election-dates.shtml

-Look for your polling location/precinct
here:

-https://hayscountytx.com/departments/ele
ctions/

The Young People’s Movement

-Young people have always wanted their
voice to be heard, although not always
heard in today’s social media world the
young people seem to have increased their
presence and power on elections.

-They understand now that they must build
their own seat at the table instead of
waiting to be invited.

Exit-ticket Activity

Think about this statement one more time,
“Your vote, your voice.”

-Now on the back of the sticky note
could you please answer these two
questions:

-Does this statement now mean
something else to you after the
lesson,

-If so, what changed?