GOV 2B: Voter Literacy

Voter Literacy Assignment

Part 1 (10 points – 2 points per term):
Directions: Students will explain how the following terms relate to the U.S. election process.

Electoral College (how does it work and why do we use it?)
Primaries (when do we hold them and what do the “winners” of these get to do?)
Political socialization (how does this impact who we vote for?)
Political Action Committees (how does this impact who we vote for?)
Mass media (how does this impact who we vote for?)

Part 2 (40 points – 4 points per question):
Directions: Students will fill out the following webquest to demonstrate that they understand the process to register to vote.

1. Visit this link and find the following information:
   • What are the voter qualifications for California?
   • What do Californians need to fill out in order to register to vote?
   • Do Californians ever have to re-register to vote? When do they need to and how do they do it?
   • Can Californians pre-register to vote? How do they do that
2. Find the Voter’s Bill of Rights.
   • Summarize the rights that you, as a Californian, are entitled to when it comes to voting.
3. Return to the first link and then click on “Political Parties” on the left hand corner of the screen.
   • How many qualified political parties are there in California? Which political party do you think you may register with?
   • What is “no party preference?” What are the advantages and disadvantages of this, from what you can tell?
4. Visit this link and find the following information:
   • How can you vote by mail in California? When does a vote-by-mail ballot need to be returned?
   • What is the Voter’s Choice Act and what does it provide for voters?
   • How can you figure out where your voting place is?

Part 3 (up to 10 points extra credit):
Directions: This portion of the assignment is for extra credit. Students do not need to complete this in order to receive full points on the assignment.

If you register to vote and can provide proof that you did so, you’ll receive 10 points extra credit on this assignment. If you are too young to register to vote or if you are otherwise unable to register to vote, you can get extra credit by responding to the following question in 5-10 sentences:

• In your opinion, is it important for Americans to vote? If you answer yes, you must explain why. If you answer no, you must explain why not. Think about the function of voting in the United States, the power that it gives the people, and what our responsibility as citizens of the U.S. is.