The right to vote is an awesome responsibility open to every adult citizen in the United States. When we walk into the voting booth, every adult is viewed the same, regardless of wealth, employment status, marital status, gender, race, religion, or even literacy level. No one person’s vote counts any more or any less than anyone else’s.
This is especially important for the learners we serve, who may have spent their adult lives struggling to participate in some activities reserved for adults—things like obtaining a driver’s license or opening a bank account, let alone something as important as voting.
But we all know, despite not knowing how to read or read well, adults with low literacy levels are smart, filled with potential, and have opinions. They should not let their skill level or any unwarranted shame about having low literacy keep them from their right to cast a vote and be heard about issues that affect them and their families.
In 2022, ProPublica looked at the correlation between literacy levels and voter turnout. Not surprisingly, counties with the lowest literacy levels measured by the PIAAC Survey of Adult Skills also had lower levels of voter participation. They also found that if this missing demographic had voted, it could have potentially changed the outcome of elections in some states. The analysis showed that as levels of education increased, so too did voter participation.
We use this sometimes to make the case for adult literacy education. We promote the idea that if we can improve someone’s ability to read, they will be more civically engaged. The data shows that’s true, and we should promote civic engagement at all levels of literacy.
I encourage you to spend time in class talking about the election, helping students to register to vote and explaining what to expect when they go to the polls. Our free News for You Voting Guide and Interactive Course is a fantastic resource to start these conversations.
When it comes to registration, some states require voter registration as much as 30 days before Election Day, so these next couple weeks are a good time to introduce this in class. Vote.gov includes state-by-state registration deadlines as well as great and easy-to-read information about voting, including available accommodations, voting while unhoused, voting as a new citizen, and more.
Most states allow online voter registration, which means you could help walk students through this in class if you have the digital tools available. You can also download the National Voter Registration Form, which is available in 21 languages and accepted in every state except New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Depending on skill level, you might need to help students with entering their information. Explain that they can choose a political party to align themselves with and that it is private and that you are unable to help them make that choice. They can also choose to remain independent.
It might help to outline the general policy and values of each party with students. It’s a good idea to do this before asking students to begin the registration process so they can make an informed decision about party affiliation.
Getting students registered is the first step, and it’s a big one. But the next step before Election Day is to help students to feel comfortable and confident with the voting process, either in person or by mail. Have class discussions or one-on-one conversations with students about what worries them or intimidates them. Make sure they know this is a process designed to be safe, secure, and welcoming to every registered voter, including them.
I also suggest helping students find their polling locations, and to going over, step by step, what happens at the polls—from when they arrive and check in to completing their ballot to entering it into the scanner. Remind them that they have the right to be there, and if they cannot read their ballot, they have the right to ask any poll worker for assistance. Make sure they know that every poll worker is trained to help and is required to respect their privacy unless they are asked to look at the ballot.
There’s nothing more empowering than displaying the “I Voted!” sticker on your shirt. It stands for something so much bigger than all of us that every adult has the right to participate in.
Visit our Voting Resources page for links to more information.
World Education and the National Coalition for Literacy are hosting a two-part webinar series titled “Equipped for the Election” in partnership with ProLiteracy.