Should Voting Be Easy?

1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: Why is voting important? How might more people voting affect a democracy? What might happen if fewer people were to vote?

2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether voting should be easy. It’s timely because midterm elections are next month and some states have enacted laws making it easier to vote, while other states have passed laws that restrict voting access.)

• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (David Daley is a senior fellow at an organization that promotes voting rights. Stephen Eide is a senior fellow at a conservative think tank.)

• Analyze Daley’s view. (Daley argues in favor of making voting easy. He says voting is our most fundamental right and that we enhance democracy when we make voting easy. He also says that early voting and other conveniences are secure, and that when voting isn’t easy, young people and communities of color are disproportionately affected.)

• Analyze Eide’s view. (Eide argues against making voting easy. He says there is distrust in our electoral system’s legitimacy that would get worse if voting were made easier. He elaborates that voting in person is seen as less vulnerable to manipulation than online voting. He also says that people appreciate democracy more when voting requires effort.)

4. Writing Prompt
In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate
Are smartphones making us stupid? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate.

6. Vote
Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.