Hi Reader,

For those of us in the U.S., Labor Day is just one week away. As a former workers rights organizer, I love sharing stories of workers standing up for their rights with kids.

​I've expanded my blog post of workers rights books for kids and teens just in time for Labor Day. (If you have an 8 - 12 year old, there's a novel set during the Great Depression that's one of the best kids' books I've read in a while. Do not sleep on Three Strike Summer!)

When I was creating Past and Present Fights for Voting Rights, I thought a lot about what is MOST essential for us to share with young people about voting right now.

There's so much happening, and much of the news is confusing and/or upsetting. I don't blame you if you've thought about simply avoiding the topic of elections all together with the young people in your life.

On further reflection, though, you and I both know there's just too much at stake with the state of voting, democracy, and elections right now.

Here are the 4 main ideas about voting I recommend sharing with young people (especially tweens and teens):

#1: Every Election Matters 🗳️

While Presidential elections get tons of attention, they only happen every 4 years. There are elections for federal lawmakers every two years, and state and local elections matter too.

If you care about things like:

• your public school getting the funding it needs
• families being able to afford healthcare
• the rules police are required to follow

then you should pay attention to every election!

#2 Many groups still face unfair voting barriers ⚠️

Since 2011, twenty five states have passed laws making it harder to register to vote or cast a vote.

Many states have also removed hundreds of thousands of registered voters from the lists that permit them to vote. Some have also closed polling places in Black and Brown neighborhoods, so that people must travel farther to cast their votes.

These laws and practices especially affect disabled voters, Black and Brown voters, the youngest voters as well as the elderly, poor voters, and voters in rural areas.

#3 Voter fraud is extremely rare ⚡

Politicians who push for laws that make it harder for people to vote try to justify their actions by saying they'll prevent voter fraud.

These laws are trying to solve a problem that essentially does not exist. The effect they DO have is making it harder to vote, especially for groups of people who have historically been prevented from voting.

Statistics show that voter fraud is extremely rare. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, Americans are more likely to be killed by a lightning strike than to impersonate another voter.

#4 The Supreme Court ended protections against racial discrimination 🧑‍⚖️

The Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965 to protect Black and Brown voters from racial discrimination.

But in two decisions made in 2013 and 2026, the Supreme Court ended the most important parts of the Voting Rights Act.

In the past 13 years since that first court decision, there has been a sharp rise in state laws that make it harder for Black, Latine, Asian, and Native American people to register and cast their votes. Many of these state laws would have never been able to take effect if the Voting Rights Act hadn't been undermined by the Supreme Court in 2013.

Of course, presenting these ideas through a long lecture is not likely to catch the interest of your kids or your students.

That's why I've provided a wide range of activities, short "explainer" pages, and action opportunities in the Past and Present Voting Rights activity pack, which can be used with elementary ages through high school. You'll also find recommended books for all ages, plus videos that provide short and clear explanations on a variety of voting rights optics.

The activity pack has five sections that thoughtfully explore voting rights in history and today. (No, you don't have to use all five parts! Pick the sections and individual activities that are right for the young people in your life.)

Each of the five parts begins with suggested books and discussion starters for each age group (elementary, middle school, and high school), along with video resources for upper elementary and above.

The sections also include:

• Short one to two page “explainers” that use kid-friendly language to explore the main topic
• Art, drawing, and coloring activities
• Hands-on activities and mini research tasks for breaking down complex topics
• Action ideas and templates to use in your local community

You can download a table of contents and sample pages from the activity pack here.

xo,

Rebekah

Rebekah Gienapp (she/her/hers) | rebekahgienapp.com | Connect on Instagram | Coffees for Gaza | Knit 4 Justice​