Stanchak 1

Morgan Stanchak

Mrs. DeBock

English IV Honors 2nd Block

24 March 2017

Essential Question: What is the importance of voting?

Working Thesis: The importance of voting seems to have decreased in the minds of citizens

around the United States.

Refined Thesis: Teaching the importance of voting in local areas could help increase the number

of voters.

Annotated Bibliography

Devine, Jacqueline. "County Clerk's Office Stresses Importance of Voting." Questions Column,

04 May 2016. EBSCOhost.

New Mexico, along with many other states have been trying to increase voter registration

and turnout in local and primary elections, and not just a Presidential Election. One of the ways

that New Mexico has tried to help voter turnout, is they passed a law saying that teenagers of the

age of 17 can vote in a primary election, if they will be 18 by the time of the Presidential

Election. New Mexicos County Clerks office is stressing the importance of voting by making

sure that every citizen knows that his or hers voice can be heard during elections, and their

choice could help make a difference in their state, and country. I chose this article because it

shows a way that states try to increase voter turnout.

Finley, Stephani. "U.S Lawmakers Tout Importance of Voting." Creston News Advertiser (IA),

31 Oct. 2012. EBSCOhost,

 Stanchak 2

In states like Iowa, local and state officials hold rallies to encourage people to vote. US

Senator Tom Harkin told the people of Iowa that the upcoming 2012 Election is one of the most

important elections for citizens in Iowa to vote in. The race between Barack Obama and Mitt

Romney was close, and Iowa would be an important state for either of them to win. Although six

electoral votes may not seem like many, they could be the deciding votes as to who would

become our next President. They also encouraged citizens to elect President Obama again,

because Iowa is a democratic state, so having a democratic president would have a significant

impact of the lives of citizens in Iowa. I chose this article because it shows another way that

states try to increase voter turnout.

Monte, Gabriel. "Expert: Voting Decreasing in Importance." Lubbock Avalanche Journal (TX),

05 Jan. 2014. EBSCOhost,

Voter turnout in Texas for the 2010 midterm election was the worst in history. Republican

excitement had been high, but voter turnout did not reflect that. Many people believe that their

vote does not matter due to the Electoral College. Presidential elections always bring the highest

turnout, but midterm and other off-year elections bring out the worst turnout because citizens

believe that they have less competition, and their vote will not matter in the long run. One of the

other reasons that they dont turn out to these elections is because it is just not on the list of

things that regular everyday busy people feel they need to keep up with. Voting in local elections

takes too much time to think about, so people feel as if it is better to not vote at all, then to vote
 Stanchak 3

uneducated. I chose this article because it shows why many people believe that their vote does

not matter, and their reasoning for them not to vote.

Morgan-Besecker, Terrie. "School Children Learn Importance of Voting." Times-Tribune, the

(Scranton, PA), 20 May 2015. EBSCOhost,

Low voter turnout has continued to happen in elections every year. The lowest turnout is

from people the ages of 18-25. The semi-annual field trip that Ms. Arcangelo takes with her 12

and 13 year old students is one of her favorite ones of the year. The students get excited about

voting and even receive a fake voter registration card. This is to get student excited about voting,

and they hope that some of their excitement and patriotism will wear off on their parents when it

comes time for them to actually be able to vote. She also hopes that the field trip will make a

lasting footprint in the children, hoping that when they turn 18 they go out to every election. The

reason I chose this article was because it shows a way teachers can try to show the importance of

voting.

Posten, Bruce. "At Alvernia University, a Lesson on the Importance of Voting." Reading Eagle

(PA), 18 Sept. 2014. EBSCOhost,

In the state of Pennsylvania, at least one half of eligible voters are not registered to vote,

many of which are women and young adults ages 18-25. At Alvernia University they are holding

many events to help voter turnout reach its highest. An online voter registration drive was held

on campus with the help of Sam Novey, partnership director of TurboVote, an online service for
 Stanchak 4

voter registration. The school also held a Constitution Day event, held to encourage students to

vote and to help put their patriotism on high. The reason for low voter turnout in Pennsylvania,

and many other states around the United States of America, is that the time allowed to registered

to vote is very limited, and absentee ballots are not easy to cast. I chose this article because it

shows a way that colleges can help encourage young people to vote.

"Teaching the importance of voting." Daily Review [Towanda, PA] 21 Sept. 2015. Opposing

Viewpoints in Context. Web. 20 Mar. 2017.

Voting has a significant impact on peoples lives. Teaching the impact that voting has on

citizens in the United States is tough. Its not a very interesting topic to teach people but it is one

that should be taught. When things are going good in local areas and around our country, people

dont seem to care as much about voting and making a change. Its when things start to turn bad

that they want to make a change and need to learn about the importance of voting. Holding an

annual informational session is a good way to teach people the importance of voting in national,

and statewide elections, but it is hard to get a large turnout each year. Although, one city in

Georgia is willing to keep trying until they find something that works. I chose this article because

it tells the impact that voting can have on American citizens lives.