Voting Fun Facts for Students

Voting is a cornerstone of democracy, allowing citizens to choose their representatives and shape the future of their communities and country. Understanding the history, processes, and significance of voting is crucial for young people as they prepare to become active and engaged citizens. Here are some interesting and important facts about voting, tailored for students.

Historical Context of Voting in the United States

The history of voting in the United States is marked by significant changes and expansions of suffrage. Initially, the right to vote was limited to property-owning white men. Over time, through amendments and activism, voting rights were extended to include all citizens regardless of race, gender, or age (once they reach 18).

Early Voting Practices

Before the establishment of standardized election procedures, states had considerable autonomy in conducting elections. Presidential elections could occur within a 34-day window before the first Wednesday in November. The first Election Day took place on November 7, 1848, while George Washington was the first president elected into office.

The Introduction of Election Day

In 1845, Congress passed a federal law designating the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November as Election Day. This decision was made with consideration for the predominantly agricultural society of the time. Tuesday was chosen to accommodate farmers who often needed a day to travel to their polling place, as many lived far from the polling place and often had to travel a day or two to vote. The selected day was after the busy harvest season but before the onset of harsh winter weather, ensuring that as many people as possible could participate in the democratic process.

Expansion of Voting Rights

The Nineteenth Amendment, adopted in August 1920, was a monumental achievement in the fight for gender equality, granting women the right to vote in every state. Nicknamed the “Anthony” amendment in recognition of the lobbying efforts of suffragette Susan B. Anthony. In July 1971, the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, recognizing the civic responsibility and engagement of young adults.

Read also: Voting Rights at UCLA

Interesting Facts About Voting

Beyond the historical milestones, there are some fascinating details about voting that might surprise you.

The Origin of the Term "Ballot"

The word "ballot" has an interesting etymological origin. It comes from the Italian word "ballotta," which means "small ball." In medieval Venice, voters used small colored or marked balls to cast their votes.

Election Day Cake

During the American Revolution, Election Day Cake consisted of yeasted fruit. Women in New England baked special Election Day cakes to encourage men to vote, as women were not allowed to vote at this time. After a voter turned in his ballot, he might receive a slice of cake. Recipes varied, but the cake often included flour, butter, sugar, whisky or brandy, dried fruit, and eggs.

Presidential Eligibility

According to the Constitution, a person can run for president if they meet three requirements. The first seven presidents (George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson) were born as British subjects, before the United States gained independence.

Unconventional Candidates

Frederick Douglass, the famed abolitionist, orator, and writer, became a presidential candidate in 1848, at a time when slavery was still legal and Black Americans did not have the right to vote. Victoria Woodhull, the first female stockbroker on Wall Street, joined the presidential race in 1872.

Read also: Education's Role in Civic Life

Youth Participation in Elections

Young voters play a crucial role in shaping election outcomes. Although youth voter turnout has historically been lower than that of older demographics, recent elections have seen a significant increase in youth participation.

Youth Voter Turnout

In the 2020 presidential election, about 55% of voters aged between 18 and 29 participated, a significant increase from the previous election year, when about 44% of youths voted in the election, around the same rate as it was in 1972. Following the 2022 midterm elections, exit poll data showed that an estimate of 27% of young voters (ages 18-29) cast their ballot. According to The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, that 2022 midterm election had the second-highest youth voter turnout in almost three decades.

Factors Influencing Youth Voter Turnout

Several factors can influence youth voter turnout, including:

Education and Awareness: Voter education programs in schools and communities can help young people understand the importance of voting and how to register.
Engagement with Issues: When young people feel passionate about specific issues, such as climate change, education, or social justice, they are more likely to participate in elections.
Outreach and Mobilization: Targeted outreach efforts by campaigns and organizations can encourage young people to register and vote.
Social Media and Influencers: Social media platforms and endorsements from celebrities and influencers can also play a role in mobilizing young voters. After Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 Presidential Race, the singer’s custom voter registration link saw visits from 337,826 people.

The Importance of Youth Voices

Young people bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the political arena. Their participation in elections ensures that the concerns and priorities of the younger generation are taken into account by elected officials.

The Electoral College

The Electoral College is a unique aspect of the U.S. presidential election system. Understanding how it works is essential for comprehending the election process.

How the Electoral College Works

Each state is allotted the same number of electors in the Electoral College as they have members in Congress. When you cast a vote for president, you are actually voting to choose the elector from that candidate’s political party. The candidate with the most votes in that state earns the state’s Electoral College votes.

The Role of Electors

Electors are individuals chosen by each state to represent the popular vote in their state. In most states, the candidate who wins the popular vote receives all of the state's electoral votes.

How to Get Involved

There are many ways for students to get involved in the democratic process, even before they are old enough to vote.

Voter Registration

If you are a college student you can usually register to vote in your hometown or where you go to college (depending on the residency requirements of your state). In 2022, there were 161 million people registered to vote in the United States. Sixteen states and the District of Columbia allow young people to preregister to vote as soon as they turn 16. In 35 states young people have at least a year or more in which to register before a first election.

Civic Education Programs

Kids Voting USA is a nonpartisan, grassroots-driven voter education program committed to creating lifelong voting habits in children, increasing family communication about citizenship, and encouraging greater adult voter turnout.

Online Resources

FBI-SOS is a free, fun, and informative program that promotes cyber citizenship by educating third to eighth-grade students on the essentials of online security. NASA Kids' Club provides a safe place for children to play as they learn about NASA and its missions. On this site, you will find games for children pre-K through 4th grade. DoSomething.org is a global movement of millions of young people making positive change, online and off! This interactive site provides information on the following topics: Our Nation, Historical Documents, Branches of Government, How our Laws are Made, National vs.

Understanding Representation

American citizens over 18 can vote for someone to represent them in elections ranging from local town councils all the way to the President of the United States. There are 435 members in the House of Representatives. That number was determined by the 1929 Permanent Apportionment Act. The number of representatives that each state has is determined by the state’s population. Currently, the state with the most representatives is California. They have 52. Six states have one representative: Alaska, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming. The number of representatives each state has is reevaluated every 10 years following the Census.

Engaging in Dialogue

Students can participate in constructive conversations about important issues with their peers, teachers, and community members.

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