My students researched, shared, and anonymously voted on a GoogleForm. Then, they watched as I filled in their votes onto my own ballot and mailed it off.
I didn't realize WA was a 100% mail in voting state! There is something nerve wracking about voting - I voted early last week, and even though I filled in everything correctly, I did have a brief moment of panic when I went to go put my ballot in the machine. Did I suddenly forget how I had voted and did it all wrong? The answer was no, but I totally get your students unease. I'm glad you were able to help them work through it!
I truly had the momentary panic of 'have I suddenly switched political parties and filled out my ballot incorrectly??' But I didn't and got not one but TWO 'I voted' stickers for my troubles. So all is right with the world.
Probably the Denny Heck/Dan Matthews race for Lt. Gov.
Heck's website is super vague and Dan Matthews has SO MUCH coded language it was hard for kids to decipher. For example he says he's for "women's rights" but he's referring to the fact that he doesn't want trans women in sports...although that's not clear at first glance.
They ended up voting for Denny Heck, but it was the closest race.
Kim Wyman, the Republican Secretary of State has done a great job overseeing the process. I'm pretty liberal, but have always voted for her. She's done a lot to ensure transparency AND access.
Maybe a follow up lesson on how all of your voting turned out?
Your vote is your consent, so maybe the students would like to learn if the people you voted for accomplished anything they promised you in exchange for you vote, or did they actually do terrible things, armed with your consent.
This would be far more enlightening for them, and maybe even you.
Indeed! It was interesting how much more weight my students put on experience. They really went looking for what incumbents had done in the past (our state's government site leg.wa.gov is a masterclass in transparency!) My students were much more impressed with past actions and accomplishments than promises.
this is so impressive and something I wish I had as a high schooler!!
I didn't realize WA was a 100% mail in voting state! There is something nerve wracking about voting - I voted early last week, and even though I filled in everything correctly, I did have a brief moment of panic when I went to go put my ballot in the machine. Did I suddenly forget how I had voted and did it all wrong? The answer was no, but I totally get your students unease. I'm glad you were able to help them work through it!
Yeah, after I thought about it for a second, I understand the anxiety
I truly had the momentary panic of 'have I suddenly switched political parties and filled out my ballot incorrectly??' But I didn't and got not one but TWO 'I voted' stickers for my troubles. So all is right with the world.
Wow! Fascinating - what did they have the hardest time with deciding?
Probably the Denny Heck/Dan Matthews race for Lt. Gov.
Heck's website is super vague and Dan Matthews has SO MUCH coded language it was hard for kids to decipher. For example he says he's for "women's rights" but he's referring to the fact that he doesn't want trans women in sports...although that's not clear at first glance.
They ended up voting for Denny Heck, but it was the closest race.
I didn't realize Washington had 100% mail in ballots for voting. That's interesting.
Stupid question: Has it always been that way?
Not a stupid question at all!
It evolved from 2005 - 2011.
Kim Wyman, the Republican Secretary of State has done a great job overseeing the process. I'm pretty liberal, but have always voted for her. She's done a lot to ensure transparency AND access.
That certainty would mean a lot less stress on Election Day. Even with early voting, folks waited in line for hour for early voting.
Maybe a follow up lesson on how all of your voting turned out?
Your vote is your consent, so maybe the students would like to learn if the people you voted for accomplished anything they promised you in exchange for you vote, or did they actually do terrible things, armed with your consent.
This would be far more enlightening for them, and maybe even you.
Indeed! It was interesting how much more weight my students put on experience. They really went looking for what incumbents had done in the past (our state's government site leg.wa.gov is a masterclass in transparency!) My students were much more impressed with past actions and accomplishments than promises.