After the 2016 presidential election, the media was in an uproar about the Russian hacking and influencing of the election outcome. Since that time the issue has died down in mainstream media, piquing our interests only when the investigation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller picks up. In its wake, however, lies a distrust of the political system that you can see manifested in the articles today. Are new voting regulations hindering minorities? Are flawed machines changing chosen candidates? We challenge you to consider how the media responds to election cycles and to current issues of voter suppression—ending on an article about how media giants Facebook and Twitter are using their mass communication sway and wide voter access to fight voter suppression online.
Instructors, click on the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt, a debate question, as well as other assessment questions.
Download the PowerPoint Lecture Spark for The 2018 Midterm Election: Voter Suppression
Video/Audio
“Princeton professor Eddie Glaude is explaining how voter suppression is a form of systemic racism in America that keeps a system of de-facto segregation in place. Glaude goes on to say that by everyone expressing their voting rights and overcoming voter suppression we can change the fact of this country and the politicians who rule it.”
“Many people like to talk about how important voting is, how it’s your civic duty and responsibility as an adult. Eric Liu agrees with all that, but he also thinks it’s time to bring joy back to the ballot box.” Don’t be uninspired—get out and vote!
Articles
Assessment
- Writing: Why is it important that everyone in the United States have the right to vote? Is there anyone who shouldn’t have the right to vote?
- Debate: Are voter ID laws good or bad? Why?
- Poll: Had you heard about the current issues of voter suppression before this post? Yes or No?
- Short Answer: During what infamous time in American history was voter suppression also a significant issue? A few time periods or election cycles may correctly answer this question.
Current Events Quiz
Democrats warn that new voting regulations in three particular states are designed to keep down the votes of minorities. Those are:
- Arkansas, New Jersey, and Hawaii
- Florida, Georgia, and Arkansas
- North Dakota, Florida, and Georgia
- Florida, New Jersey, and North Dakota
The NBC Op-Ed article argues that Trump ___ to help Republicans keep control of Congress.
- plays the race card
- bribes voters
- colludes with Putin
- deploys Mike Pence
Experts worry that voting controversies in Georgia will ___ voters.
- encourage
- discourage
- confuse
- remove
Facebook and Twitter are concerned about ____ from foreign governments or malicious domestic actors affecting turnout.
- pro-Trump
- armed attacks
- bribes
- false information
As a result of their concerns, Facebook and Twitter are ___ on their platforms.
- encouraging dissent
- acting to fight falsehoods
- prohibiting political posts
- removing all Russian tweets