Teen Talk Tuesday: Voting and Elections
One of my goals with Teen Talk Tuesday is to raise a generation that feels comfortable talking about real issues, that isn’t afraid to hear what the other side has to say, and is willing to speak their mind in a respectful way. For this Teen Talk Tuesday voting elections discussion, I want to be clear: the goal is not to indoctrinate my kids with my own political beliefs but to give them a chance to cultivate and talk about their own. You don’t have to know all the answers, and you can pause the conversation to look things up — just listen to what they have to say. I am pretty sure they will surprise you.
My seven-year-old participates in these conversations too. We break it down for him, but it is fun to hear his thoughts. The habit of discussing civic issues respectfully and curiously starts at home.
Teen Talk Tuesday Voting Elections Discussion Questions
In order to vote in the U.S. you must be a U.S. citizen, be 18 years or older, and meet your state’s residency requirements, but some states have done some interesting things. Here are six questions for your Teen Talk Tuesday voting elections conversation:
1. Multiple states have cleaned out their voter registers, so if you have not voted in the last two election cycles, you may not be able to vote. Is this fair or unfair? Why?
2. In North Dakota, a voter law says that you must have a street address — not a PO Box — to vote. This means many Native Americans, rural residents, or others without a street address might not be able to vote. Should we require a street address to vote? Why would a state think that is necessary?
3. Those incarcerated cannot vote. Should those in prison be able to vote, why or why not?
4. Some polling places have been moved to locations with limited access to public transportation. Is this a problem? For whom? Why or why not?
5. There is only about a 40% turnout of eligible voters during midterm elections. Why do you think some people don’t vote? Should everyone vote? Why or why not?
6. How could we make it easier to vote? Should Election Day be a national holiday? Why or why not?
What I Love About the Teen Talk Tuesday Voting Elections Format
These discussions don’t require me to take a side. My job in this Teen Talk Tuesday voting elections conversation is to ask the questions, share a little context about what the laws actually are, and then listen. Kids who grow up being asked for their opinions on real-world questions become adults who know how to form them and express them respectfully. That is the whole point.
Related Reading
- civil political discourse starts in the home
- what to tell your kids about the election
- teen talk tuesday: sketchy images
Helpful External Resources
Frequently Asked Questions: Teen Talk Tuesday Voting Elections
How do you talk to teens about voting without pushing your political beliefs?
The Teen Talk Tuesday voting elections approach is to ask questions about voting laws and systems, not candidates or parties. Is it fair to remove voters from rolls for not voting? Should people in prison be able to vote? Should Election Day be a national holiday? These are process questions. Your job is not to tell them what to think but to help them engage with the issue and form their own views.
What voting topics are good discussion starters for teenagers?
Good Teen Talk Tuesday voting elections topics: voter registration requirements; access to polling places and how geography affects participation; who is and isn’t currently allowed to vote; what might increase midterm turnout from the current 40%; whether voting should be made easier and what the tradeoffs are. These invite opinion without requiring you to take a political side.
How young is too young to discuss elections with kids?
My seven-year-old participates in the Teen Talk Tuesday voting elections conversation — we just break it down to his level. Kids who grow up being asked for their opinions on real-world questions become adults who know how to form and express them respectfully. Starting the habit of discussing civic issues curiously at home is one of the most important things a parent can do before kids are eligible to vote.
