How to Use this Resource
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https://tinyurl.com/SuppressionvsFraud
You have permission to adapt slides for classroom use (including remove or add images, change the font, remove or add activities, and break up into several slideshows). But you do not have permission to change the words within the text. If you have a gmail account, please make a copy of the slides for you own use. You can also download them into your own presentation software.
Table of Contents
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Look at the photo. What is happening? Say in your own words what the sign means. Do you agree? Why or why not?
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Discuss the idea of universal suffrage. It means that all adult citizens should have the right to vote regardless of wealth, income, race, ethnicity, gender, or status.
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Do you think we have universal suffrage in the U.S.? Explain. And then turn the page and explore current issues in voting.
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Voter Suppression vs. Fraud
Learn the Definitions
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Voter suppression is a strategy used to influence the outcome of an election by discouraging or
preventing specific groups of people from voting.
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The tactics of voter suppression range from minor changes to make voting less convenient, to physically intimidating and even physically attacking prospective voters, which is illegal.
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Voter suppression can be effective if a significant number of voters are intimidated or disenfranchised.
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Study the image. Describe what you see. What are some of the ways voting can be suppressed?
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Define voter suppression in your own words
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Electoral fraud, sometimes referred to as election fraud, election manipulation or vote rigging, is illegal interference with the process of an election by increasing the vote share of the favored candidate.
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What exactly constitutes electoral fraud varies from country to country.
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Study the image. Describe what you see. Is voter fraud different from voter suppression? If so, how?
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Define voter fraud in your own words:
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Test Your Understanding:
Try this Quiz
Google Quiz version also available for students to take during the lesson!
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Read the following situations. Identify each with an “S” for suppression or “F” for fraud.
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(1) Polling places in rural areas are shut down so that voters have to travel several hours to be able to vote.
Is this voter suppression (S) or voter fraud (F)?
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(2) A voter votes once at one polling place and then travels to another and votes a second time under a different name.
Is this voter suppression (S) or voter fraud (F)?
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(3) A state law gives formerly incarcerated people the right to vote, but the application to resume voting rights is very complex and time-consuming.
Is this voter suppression (S) or voter fraud (F)?
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(4) A well known and powerful public figure claims the election is rigged, giving people the idea that there is no point in voting.
Is this voter suppression (S) or voter fraud (F)?
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(5) Local government redraws voting districts to favor a particular party (also known as gerrymandering).
Is this voter suppression (S) or voter fraud (F)?
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(6) Someone prints fake ballots (forgeries) and fills them out and mails them in.
Is this voter suppression (S) or voter fraud (F)?
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Check Your Answers
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(1) Polling places in rural areas are shut down so that voters have to travel several hours to be able to vote.
This is voter suppression (S).
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(2) A voter votes once at one polling place and then travels to another and votes a second time under a different name.
This is voter fraud (F).
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(3) A state law gives formerly incarcerated people the right to vote, but the application to resume voting rights is very complex and time-consuming.
This is voter suppression (S).
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(4) A well known and powerful public figure claims the election is rigged, giving people the idea that there is no point in voting.
This is voter suppression (S).
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(5) Local government redraws voting districts to favor a particular party (also known as gerrymandering).
Answer: This is voter suppression (S).
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6. Someone prints fake ballots (forgeries) and fills them out and mails them in.
This is voter fraud (F).
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Take It Further
Work with a partner or in a small group. Develop some questions about what you have been learning so far, and write them down. Share your questions with the whole class. Choose one or two that you would like to learn more about. Conduct research on the questions you choose. Search the internet and/or use the articles from The Change Agent listed on slide #39. Take notes about what you learn and keep track of your sources. What sources are trustworthy? How do you know?
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Evaluate Claims about Fraud
Real Statements: Are they true?
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BEFORE YOU START:
Learn the definition of claim, then do the activity.
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What Does Claim Mean?
DEFINITION: A claim (noun) is an assertion of the truth that may or may not include evidence.
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EXAMPLE: It is my claim that the dog ate my homework. It can also be a verb: “She claimed that the dog ate her homework.”
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ACTIVITY: Use claim (the noun and/or verb) in several sentences. Try to draw from current events, especially related to the elections. What claims have you been hearing?
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Now... Practice Evaluating Real-Life Claims:
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In each Tweet on the following slides, the person is making a claim. Read, discuss, and make sure you understand each Tweet. You may have questions about the content of the Tweet. For example, what is the difference between mail-in voting and absentee voting? Is it possible to delay the election? If so, how? What does fraudulent mean?
After you feel sure you understand each Tweet, write in your own words what the person is claiming. Then research to find evidence for the claim. Bring your evidence to class and share it with your classmates. (Hint: before you start your online research, work with others and brainstorm what words to use in your search.) Write a paragraph that either backs or disputes the claims made in one of the Tweets.
Claim #1:
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Claim #2:
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More Readings and Activities to explore more election-related topics
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More Readings and Activities to explore more election-related topics
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If you use these materials in your virtual classroom, please complete this short survey and let us know what you think!
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