“The cornerstone of democracy rests on the foundation of an educated electorate.” Thomas Jefferson

On November 8, 2022 there will be a midterm election. The 2022 midterm elections includes all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 34 of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate, 31 incumbent governors, many state officials. On the municipal level, mayors and other officials, as well as many referendums and initiatives, might be on the ballot.

Nationwide, voter turnout for non-presidential elections is lower than for presidential elections.

Lesson idea:
Students could explore voting data to see if their own community follows national trends. Data could be entered into a precinct boundary map of their city.

Compare voter turnout for: presidential elections (election for president); midterm elections (non-presidential elections); and off-year elections (non-presidential and odd years).

Explore election data: Visit your county website to locate election results. http://www.co.sangamon.il.us/election/results/
County election results by precinct
Analysis Data: Why do you think turnouts are different for the general, midterm and off-year elections

Action Plan: Get out the vote!! Students at the Democracy Prep School in NYC made this video for the 2012 presidential election. Even though the candidates have changed the message never gets old!