* This guide was prepared by Nancy Matthews, former Social Studies Supervisor for the State of Utah and the staff of the National Student/Parent Mock Election. Guaranteeing the Privileges of Citizenship to all Americans: A Problem Worth Solving A Teacher’s Guide to Election Reform “The right to vote is the right upon which all other rights depend”   Thomas Paine UNIT OVERVIEW: Nancy Matthews, former Social Studies Supervisor for the State of Utah has written, “How   Americans   vote   and   who   is   able   to   vote   are   critical   issues.   One hundred  five  million  Americans  voted  in  the  Presidential  Election  of  2000  in the  United  States,  but  57  percent  experienced  problems  at   the  voting  booth, only   pointing   the   finger   more   directly   that   the   system   of   electing   people   to represent  citizens  needs  to  be  overhauled.  As  a  result  6  million  voters  (this figure   has   been   set   between   3   and   6   million   by   various   sources)   were disenfranchised  on  November  7,  2000.  Is  massive  election  reform  necessary to   ensure   everybody   in   America   is   treated   fairly   in   the   election   process? There  exists  a  pathetic  and  tragic  situation  in  this  country  today  and  election reform    is    badly    needed    to    ensure    Americans’    votes    count.    Fraudulent elections  didn’t  happen  only  in  the  2000  Presidential  election  or  in  only  one State.  Poorly  conducted  elections  are  occurring  in  all  50  states,  some  worse than  others  and  they  have  been  going  on  for  years.  The  Voting  Rights  Act  of 1965  was  to  ensure  everyone  in  the  United  States  the  opportunity  to  vote  but did   not   guarantee   equal   opportunity   or   quality.   Everybody   who   is   a   citizen who  is  duly  registered  and  entitled  to  vote  in  his  or  her  state  ought  to  have the    opportunity    to    vote   but   only   one   vote.   Yes,   we   want   our   citizens registered   and   if   they   are   a   legal   voter   whether   they   are   in   a   wheelchair, visually   impaired,   or   have   other   physical   challenges,   despite   the   fact   that they  may  be  older  or  not  as  strong  and  as  able,  they  have  the  right  to  vote and  they  have  a  right  to  have  their  vote  counted,  and  they  have  a  right  to  the kind   of   equipment   and   technology   that   is   available   that   makes   sure   those voted   are   counted   and   certified.   America   needs   an   easy,   accurate   way   to register and to vote for every citizen.” This   unit   provides   students   with   the   opportunity   to   evaluate   the   current   U.S. election  procedures.  Students  will  make  judgments  about  the  necessary  changes to make voting fair, equal, and an accurate opportunity for all Americans.