Adult Learners Get Out the Vote
(Posted October, 2000)

Illinois

VALUE Member Carol Morris writes from the literacy program at the Waukegan, Illinois Public Library:

"I thought I would share . . . that last evening four of our learners from one of our groups registered to vote. That brings the number to 100% (14 in all who are part of that group) who are now able to vote in the November election.

"One of the learner leaders led a discussion about the importance of voting. The general consensus of the group was that "It is your duty as an American citizen to vote."

"In about two weeks the same learner leader is going to lead a discussion about deciding for whom to vote. He is impassioned about politics and strongly encourages everyone in the group to watch the presidential debates. We also have someone coming in to demonstrate the voting machine. The group's goal is for everyone to vote in November."

For more information, contact Carol Morris at cmorris@nslsilus.org. The Waukegan Public Library works with the American Library Association’s national library literacy initiative. Contact Dale Lipshultz (dlipshu@ala.org) about ALA’s literacy efforts.

California

For many years, the California State Library has supported voter education activities for adult learners. One project is the "Easy Reading Voter Guide," which was developed by adult educators and adult learners in several libraries. The League of Women Voters and Secretary of State’s Office were partners in this project.

There is now an updated version of the 16-page Guide (in several languages) which contains:

1. Easy-to-use information about how to register to vote, choose a party, and cast your ballot. (The Guide uses photos and graphics to show a step-by-step process geared to new readers and new citizens).

2. A Voter Guide to the November 7th General Election in California, featuring:

• Statements from each of the seven political parties;
  
  
• Statements and photos from the candidates for President and U.S. Senate;
  
  
• Brief statements about each of the statewide ballot measures;
  
  
• Information about other elected offices and a glossary.

This nonpartisan Guide is now available on-line at http://www.easyvoter.org. It is also available at most libraries in the state. A free CD version is available to newspapers wishing to re-print the Guide.

VALUE member Al Bennett (literacy consultant at the State Library) says the Guide’s goal is to reduce the confusion of many voters. Project director Susan Clark explains that the Guide reduces "political jargon and technical language." Susan says it is also becoming "popular with many experienced voters who like to use it as their first step in getting oriented before the election."

Before the March 2000 primary, more than 800,000 copies of the Guide were passed out by libraries, election officials, schools, colleges, adult education programs, the League of Women Voters, community groups, and newspapers.

For more information, contact VALUE Board Member Emma Torrez at etorrez@ci.santa-clara.ca.us or 408/615-2959. (Emma was one of the adult learner leaders who helped write the Guide.) Or contact Al Bennett at the State Library at 916/653-7743.

Massachusetts

Boston’s Adult Literacy Resource Institute has a web site full of information and Internet links useful to adult educators and adult learners. ALRI Director and VALUE Member David Rosen explains that one of the topic areas is "Citizenship, Community Involvement, and Voting."

Go to http://www.alri.org/integratech.html and click on "Citizenship, Community Involvment, and Voting." You will find the following kinds of information:

• "The World’s Smallest Political Quiz": Learners can test their own knowledge about politics and elections.
  
  
• A lesson plan for "picking your candidate."
  
  
• A link to the "Easy Reading Voter Guide" developed by adult learners and adult educators in California. (See "California," above.)
  
  
• A web page about African-American hero and voting rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer. This contains a presentation prepared by an adult learner.
  
  
• A "Government and Politics" web page listing lots of useful information about U.S. and state government.

Revised 10/17/00