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Note to teachers: For a shorter lesson, stop video at 2:35 or 5:30.
- President Trump repeated the unproven claim this week that millions of illegal votes were cast in the presidential election and says he will order a federal investigation to look into the matter.
- Top Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), said they have not seen any evidence of widespread voter fraud in the November election.
- Expanding controversial voter I.D. laws could be one outcome of the investigation, according to White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.
- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and leading Democrats say such an investigation is a way to accelerate voter suppression.
- "Voter fraud may be very, very isolated, but at the end of the day, it is nearly nonexistent," said California's Secretary of State Alex Padilla.
Class discussion questions
- Essential question : How important is voting in a democracy?
- How significant is the issue of voter fraud in the U.S.?
- Why do you think President Trump is calling for a federal investigation into voter fraud during the presidential election if top officials say there is no evidence that such fraud took place?
- How could an investigation into voter fraud lead to stricter voter I.D. laws down the road?
Extension activity with video:
Voter turnout in the U.S. is quite low based on a variety of reasons. Less than 60 percent of eligible voters voted in the 2016 general election. Yet, for many Americans, voting is a very meaningful, almost sacred duty. In this lesson, To Vote or Not to Vote , students will view three short films that explore the importance of voting.
