Page 34 - Paths to Change

About the Text The following data table shows voter turnout data for Primary elections held in 2016 and 2020. Frontrunners, and assumed nominees, for each party in 2016 were Hillary Clinton (Democratic) and Donald Trump (Republican). Race frontrunners, and assumed nominees, in 2020 were President Donald Trump (Republican) and Joe Biden (Democratic). It should be noted that the voter turnout percentage is based on the voting-eligible portion of the population, meaning this number reflects only those eligible to vote. Eligible voters do not include non-citizens and felons, groups that are severely impacted by legislation proposed and passed under Donald Trump. The portion of the population that is ineligible to vote also disproportionately represents groups targeted by police brutality and systemic racism. Thus, it becomes increasingly important for those who are able to vote to vote not only in their interest, but in the interest of the marginalized and disenfranchised populations of our society who have been effectively robbed of their voice in the voting booth. Students should use this data to further examine the impact voting has on society. Encourage student to reference the timeline in Text 1 to draw conclusions about any suggestion of correlation. Student Questions & Sample Responses 1. What is the VEP? Whom does it exclude from voting? The VEP is the Voter Eligible Population. The Voter Eligible Population does not include individuals who are not citizens of the United States and individuals who have been convicted of a felony crime. 2. What differences in voter turnout between 2016 and 2020 can you observe from the tables? Three of the five states listed saw an increase in voter turnout in 2020. The primary elections were also held earlier in 2020. 3. Overall, is the change in voter turnout data from 2016 to 2020 positive or negative? The change in voter turnout data is positive. Overall, the voter turnout was higher with a 10.5% increase in Montana, a 5.5% increase in New Mexico, and a 4.2% increase in South Dakota. 4. What might explain this change? Current events and media coverage of these events often impact voter enthusiasm and turnout. The fact that primary election voting happened during the early weeks of the George Floyd protests against police brutality and systemic racism likely had an impact on voters utilizing one of the tools at their Text 6: Voter Turnout Data Educator Guide The Black Inquiry Project 33