Bring the debate over voting rights to life with this engaging, multi-part activity that combines fictional case studies, historical context, and real-world state analysis. Students will evaluate how laws shape democracy by grading both fictional states and actual U.S. states using a clear, student-friendly rubric.

What’s Included:

• Fictional Article: Two States, Two Democracies (Calikota vs. East Mexida) to spark discussion.
• Voting Rights Report Card Rubric: Student handout with space for evidence and rationales.
• Background Reading: Why Voting Laws Change & Why States Have This Power with constitutional foundations, federal safeguards, and historical timeline.
• Teacher Guide: Step-by-step instructions, discussion questions, sample answers, and extension activities.
• Real-World Application: Students use the Public Integrity “Who Counts?” interactive map to evaluate actual states’ voting laws.
• Map Analysis Section: Students identify trends across U.S. regions and connect them to political, demographic, and historical factors.
  

How It Works:

1. Students read the fictional story and grade Calikota and East Mexida as practice.
2. They learn why states have this power through the background text and timeline.
3. Students select a real U.S. state and apply the rubric with evidence from the Public Integrity site.
4. As a class, they discuss map-based trends and reflect on how voting laws impact democracy.
   

Skills & Standards Addressed:

• Critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning
• Understanding of U.S. Constitution, amendments, and federal vs. state power
• Analysis of historical and contemporary trends in voting rights
• Civic literacy and democratic participation
  

Perfect for:

• Civics, U.S. Government, and American History courses
• Units on voting rights, democracy, or federalism
• Debate prep, simulations, or project-based learning
  

This resource helps students see how democracy varies state by state and challenges them to reflect on what kind of democracy we want to build.