Resources for Maine Students & Educators
The suggestions below are tailored to Maine students and educators. Maine law permits 18-year-olds who are registered to vote to serve as Election Clerks. Further, it permits 17-year-olds to be Election Clerks if they have been “conditionally accepted” for registration on their 18th birthday. See the specific laws here.
The learning scaffolds below can enrich all Maine youths’ understanding of the election process, whether they serve at the polls or not. Educators and young Mainers are encouraged to use the ideas and resources in this section to structure learning activities in September, October, and November of 2020. Tap into the resources at Making This Part of Your Learning to amplify your planning.
1. Foundation: examining how participation in U.S. elections has worked: ideas for middle school, high school, and college youth
- Factors affecting participation of citizens: legal, sociological, cultural, political
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Relevant state and federal laws; how they’re playing into (a)
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What’s being done to facilitate full participation
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See lesson plans in resources listed under Making This Part of Your Learning
2. Opportunities to Learn: 17-year-olds and older (Building on #1 Foundation above)
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Drill down on how polling places function and why, including interviews and research in your own community and region.
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History of voter participation in your town/region; explore reasons for variations; how are demographics affecting participation?
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Contact your town office or city hall; volunteer to assist at the polls (particularly in light of shortage of veteran pollworkers)
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Contact local candidates and party officials to gain their perspectives; consider joining in campaigns.
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Document and reflect on what you learned and how you’re thinking about your future engagement in elections.
3. Opportunities to Learn: 18-year-olds and older (Building on #1 and #2 above)
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Register to vote.
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Find out who else in your community (any age) is not registered to vote; explore how you can assist them to register.
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See especially 2c and 2d.
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Document and reflect on what you learned and how you’re thinking about your future engagement in elections.
Maine Resources