Tuesday, September 17th is National Voter Registration Day across the United States of America.
First observed in 2012, this holiday celebrates civic participation in America’s democratic process andprovides greater voter registration opportunities for people across our country — especially those who may not otherwise register to vote. Volunteers and organizations nationwide distribute ballot initiative information, help citizens register for the first time or update their registration information, explain early voting options and more. Over 5 million voters have registered to vote on this holiday to date!
National Voter Registration Day is also a great opportunity to introduce the topic of civic participation and elections to young children, while giving greater context and insight to young adults. Keep scrolling foractivities, videos, discussion prompts and lesson plans to teach about the importance of voting, voters rights across the nation, and how those rights have changed and evolved over the decades.
Did you know, according to U.S. Census data from 2020, as many as 1 in 4 eligible Americans aren’t registered to vote. Don’t wait — register to vote this September!
For adults and teens over the age of 18, explore this County Boards of Election Roster for contact information and local enrollment statistics in your county. And visit the New York State Voting Information webpage to review required voter qualifications, how and when to register, and to download your own Voter Registration Form.
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Learn About Civic Participation & Voting
Queen Sara Explains Voting | Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Grades PreK-K
Queen Sara and King Friday want to put a new piece of playground equipment in the playground, but they can only choose one – a swing or a slide. So, they explain the process of voting to Daniel Tiger and his friends and ask them to stop, think and choose before voting on the one they’d like.
How to Talk to Children About Politics
Grades PreK-5
Talking to children about voting, politics, and civic engagement can feel overwhelming. Here are a few tips on how to help kids understand how to be participants in creating positive change.
History of U.S. Voting Rights | Things Explained
Grades 3-12
Who can vote today looked a lot different from those who could vote when the United States was first founded. This video covers the history of voting rights, including women’s suffrage, Black disenfranchisement, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the various methods American voters can cast their ballots today.
We The Voters Collection
Grades 6-12
Before the 2016 Election, PBS Education partnered with We The Voters, a nonpartisan digital project featuring short films to activate voters across the country. The films and accompanying lesson plans, now edited to be useful for any election season, provide a fresh, engaging perspective on democracy, elections, governance, and debating.
Should We Make Voting Mandatory? | America From Scratch
Grades 6-12
Imagine being required to vote by penalty of law. Sound a little extreme? Maybe. But for other countries around the world, it’s a reality, and it helps get people to the polls. Meanwhile, in the U.S., only 55 percent of eligible people cast a vote for president in 2016. As we question what our country would look like if we started from scratch, host Toussaint Morrison explores the possibility of mandatory voting.
Books, Games & Activities
The Election Problem | Peg + Cat
Grades PreK-K
Peg and Cat are holding an election to see who can get the most votes to be in charge of the chickens while the farmer goes to market. In this interactive storybook, your child can watch and count along as the chickens vote for their favorite candidate.
9 Picture Books About Voting and Elections
Grades PreK-4
It’s National Voter Registration Day! These books can help you jump-start a conversation with your kids about voting, democracy, citizenship, and equality.
Voting Rights and the Youth Vote | Above the Noise
Grades 6-12
To understand democracy, we have to understand voting and voting rights. In this activity, students will examine and share their perspectives on democracy and voting. Students will watch videos from PBS Digital Studios’ Above the Noise, a student centered show that highlights current events and trending topics. Before viewing, during viewing, and after viewing questions will guide students through the topics of voting limitations and youth voting rights, and encourage discussion. Students will have the opportunity to extend their learning through research and simulation activities to better understand voting rights and limitations.
FRONTLINE: How Voting Laws Have Changed
Grades 9-12
Examine data about the voting rights laws that most impact Americans’ access to the ballot box and how they’ve changed across the country in recent years, in this interactive from FRONTLINE: Ballot Watch. Voting laws influence who can vote and when and how they cast their ballots. This interactive provides a state-by-state analysis of voting laws as they pertain to early voting, felons, absentee voting, and voter ID requirements. It compares the situation in 2010, when many states began introducing more restrictive voter bills, to that in 2014.
For even more games and educational resources for young learners, go to the Let’s Vote! Talking to Children About Voting collection on PBS Kids for Parents.