• Adapt the set of ballots on the following page for your classroom.
• Copy and cut a set of ballots for each student.
• Copy the Please Vote Today sign and assign a student to color it and set it up on a table or desk.
• Assign a few students to construct a ballot box. Set it near the Please Vote Today sign.
• See "Voter Apathy" in the Appendix.

• On Monday, without discussion, say to the students: We will vote on an issue a day for
  the next five days. Each morning I will place the ballots by the ballot box. Please come by
  the desk once a day to vote by marking a ballot and placing your ballots in the box. At
  the end of the week we will tally and implement the votes.
• Do not encourage or remind students to vote during the week.
• At the end of the week, assign a few students to tally and record the results on the board.
• The following week, implement the results.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• What was the point of this activity?
• Who didn't vote and now wishes they had?
• Might the outcome have been different if everyone had voted?
• Did more students vote on some days than others? Why?
• What does the word "apathy" mean? (Unconcern or indifference)
• Were any of us apathetic to voting? Why or why not?
• Do you think more students would vote if we voted like this again? Why?
• Are voters in the U.S. apathetic? Why?
• Why should citizens vote? What could happen if they don't vote?
• Is there anything we can do to encourage adults to vote? If so, what?

MORE!
Help your students learn to be responsible to vote by allowing them to make as many classroom decisions as possible by voting.