September 18, 2019

    Connecting Students to the 19th Amendment and Voting

    The Centennial of the 19th Amendment offers many avenues to engage students in discussions about equality and voting rights. From lawyer-in-classroom programs to panel discussions to college student registration drives, this milestone anniversary can be integrated across the school curriculum and school activities. This tool kit offers a variety of formats, resources and helpful tips to use when engaging with youth organizations within your community.

    Formats for Student Programs

    Student programs may take on a number of different formats or programs. A few ideas:

    • Classroom programs
    • School-wide assemblies or programs with school organizations like the PTA or library
      • These can take many forms, including panel discussions with local candidates for office, presentations from local advocates for gender equality or voting rights
    • Get out the vote programs 
      • Contact your local chapter of the League of Women Voters  for information on how to coordinate a get out the vote campaign with students in your area
    • Students as Election Judges 
      • Mikva Challenge empowers students to take part in real-life democratic activities, including serving as election judges.
    • Student Contests 

    Voters Rights' and Responsibilities

    A one-page flyer highlighting voter's rights and responsibilities that is a great handout for student programs.

    Presidential Elections FAQs

    Gain useful information on presidential elections. This resource builds on the work the ABA Standing Committee on Election Law.

    Demystifying the Electoral College

    From Insights on Law and Society, help students understand the history and role of the electoral college by answering these 12 frequently asked questions.

    Tips for Planning Your Event

    Schools are busy places with tight schedules. Here are four simple tips to help make a successful connection with schools and ultimately with students.

    • Make early contact
      • Contact the schools as soon as possible to try to find some time on their calendar. Once confirmed, provide reminders from time to time.
    • Reach out to stakeholders
      • Ask yourself, “Who in my community has an interest in schools and law-related education?” These are the people who should be on your planning committee. They will be able to help you organize and implement creative Law Day activities for students. Be sure to include education personnel and students. They know the audience that you are trying to reach and will be helpful in making your event a success.
    • Determine educational goals
      • Ask the educators you are working with to identify the curriculum goals your programming support. Make these correlations top talking points when requesting to conduct your activities in the school.
    • Don’t limit your outreach to schools
      • Community agencies and nonprofit organizations that work with youth, such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts will welcome your presentations.

    Ensuring Your Event is Accessible

    The ABA Commission on Disability Rights as a toolkit that can help you ensure that your event is accessible for all members of your community.

    Resources

    Find a variety of resources to use when creating your student program, including a timeline of major milestones in the fight for the 19th Amendment, various multimedia resources, and discussion guides.  

    • Videos You Can Stream

    Potential Partners

    There are numerous organizations both nationally and locally that can help support your programming and outreach to students. Partners can help broaden your program’s reach and impact while introducing students to new voices

     

    Special thanks to our generous supporters:


    		    

    Nick Allard
    William R. Bay
    Tom Bolt
    JoAnn Engelhardt
    Roberta D. Liebenberg
    Judy Perry Martinez and Rene Martinez
    Pauline A. Weaver