Resources and Discussion Questions
- Federal Judge won't stop Ga. voter citizenship checks
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5goXdqiHHk8p0cqXGZHuUAqEI205gD93RSV0O2
- What Georgia voting requirement did voting rights groups challenge
in federal court, and why?
A voting rights groups asked a federal judge to stop Georgia from
asking new voters to prove their identities and citizenship. The groups
say that the checks, which involve matching voting applications with driver's
license and Social Security data, amount to a "systematic purging"
of rolls just weeks before the Nov. 4 election. They also argue that demands
for proof of citizenship are an intimidation tactic.
- How did the federal court rule, and what was the reasoning for the
decision?
The Court refused to stop the identification requirements, explaining
that without them, "local registrars will have no practical means
of identifying which registrants are not citizens, and the mere possibility
of fraudulent voting could damage the public's respect for the electoral
process."
- Do you agree with the federal court’s ruling? Explain.
Accept well-reasoned answers.
- Va. officials ban campaign clothing at polls
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hKuPrQtlu__S6BS6BzBLbBec3_VwD93QE8S00
- What types of apparel did the Virginia state Board of Elections ban
at polling places?
The State Board of Elections voted to ban clothing and hats as well
as buttons and other paraphernalia that directly advocate the election
or defeat of a specific candidate or issue.
- What reasons did the Board give for the ban?
The Board said it has to weigh the free speech rights of voters against
the right to vote free of undue influence or the tension that candidate
advocacy might create.
- Do you believe this ban infringes on the First Amendment rights of citizens?
Accept well-reasoned answers.
- Teachers Sue Over Right to Politic
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/11/nyregion/11button.html
- Judge Says No to Teachers’ Campaign Buttons, but Yes to Certain Politicking
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/18/nyregion/18button.html
- What events led up to the New York City teacher’s union filing
of a federal lawsuit last week?
On Sept. 23, the president of the teacher’s union— which
has endorsed Senator Barack Obama— sent an email to union leaders
at each city school, advising them how to distribute campaign materials
on Obama’s behalf. Department of Education officials contacted the
union, directing them to enforce the longstanding regulation requiring
that school staff members show “complete neutrality” while
on duty. The policy also prohibits teachers from using school property
to promote a candidate.
The union states that the principal of Community School 134 in the
Bronx removed an Obama poster that a teacher placed on the union bulletin
board, and that a teacher at another school who wore political buttons
was warned against it.
- Why does the president of the teacher’s union oppose this regulation?
She said that the decades old policy has rarely been enforced, and
that teachers have routinely worn political buttons as recently as this
year’s presidential primaries. She says she had watched teachers
“balance their obligations as professionals and their responsibilities
as citizens.”
- How did a federal judge rule on this case last Friday?
A federal judge on Friday upheld New York City’s policy prohibiting
public school teachers from wearing political buttons in the classroom,
but said the teachers could place campaign material into colleagues’
mailboxes and hang posters on bulletin boards maintained by their union,
as long as they were in areas off-limits to students.
- Do you think public school teachers should:
A. be required to speak and act neutrally toward political candidates
while they are on duty?
B. be allowed to use school property to endorse a candidate?
C. Why or why not?
Accept well-reasoned answers.
Extensions
Have students complete a fun and interactive flash elections activity:
John McCain, Barack Obama, and the Powers of the President
http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/today
Students can find additional activities and readings at our student Web site:
http://www.DoYouHavetheRight.org
Complete lesson plans can be found here:
http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/election
