Increasing Voter Participation (Project)

Voting in state, local, and federal elections is an integral component of democratic citizenship.  Yet, in most elections over a third of the electorate chooses not to vote.  For this project you will analyze the reasons for low voter turnout and propose solutions for encouraging more people to vote.
 
Requirements: Working with a partner, you must do the following:
 
Write a 2-3 page research paper that discusses (70 points)

• ​the importance of voting (historically and currently)
• groups that are most likely to vote or not to vote (include statistics)
• reasons for low voter turnout in the United States (why don't people vote?)
• strategies for increasing voter turnout

 
Create a Flyer or Pamphlet that encourages young people to vote in the next election.  Your flyer/pamphlet must be creative and include the following… (30 points) 

• how to register
• when is Election Day?
  
• the importance of voting
• young voter participation in past elections
• reasons young people don’t vote
• strategies to encourage young voter turnout
• a catchy slogan and/or logo

 
DUE: Friday, March 15
 
Websites: You may find the following websites helpful.
 
http://www.census.gov/topics/public-sector/voting.html
http://civicyouth.org/
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/votestats.html
http://www.fairvote.org/voter-turnout
http://www.rockthevote.com
http://www.electioncenter.org/
 
Your paper must be double-spaced and written in Times New Roman 12 point font.  In addition, you must conduct research for this paper and cite your sources.  Plagiarism, of course, will result in a zero.