Just in time for November, this is a basic but thorough primer on multiple aspects of voting. Meant for a general audience without in-depth knowledge, this would be a great text for a high school or community college civics class, if we still had such a thing. Geiger Smith notes this lack in discussing a non-profit organization, Project Vote, that teaches high school kids the mechanics of registering and voting, and why it's so important to do so. Geiger Smith spends some time discussing the struggle for voting rights, particularly women's suffrage..She also touches on contemporary vote suppression tactics, ways to increase voter participation, gerrymandering, polling, and the electoral college system, along with other topics.

Maintaining a neutral stance, but always a cheerleader for voter participation, Geiger Smith offers a voter education guide that is highly readable and touches all the bases. This is a sure bet purchase for public and high school libraries.

Thank You for Voting
The Maddening, Enlightening, Inspiring Truth About Voting in America
By Erin Geiger Smith
A handy and important nonpartisan resource for this Presidential election year.
Book Review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Twitter
Facebook
Link
Print
"The right to vote must be open to our citizens irrespective of race, color, or creed. . . . The sooner we get to that basis of political equality the better it will be for the country as a whole."

— Franklin D. Roosevelt

The United States has come a long way in guaranteeing people the right to vote. Both political parties work to register new voters from specific constituencies. They know that the millions of citizens who are not registered have the potential to influence the outcome of elections. But according to journalist Erin Geiger Smith, an alarming problem is that statistics show each successive generation voting at rates lower than the one before it. In the 2016 presidential election, 40% of all eligible Americans and 50% of the young adults did not vote.

Many factors affect this reality. Some remain cynical about corruption in government. Other constituencies do not feel their needs are addressed, depressing their desire to participate in the political process. And this is too bad, given how much time and energy has been spent over the years winning the right to vote for African Americans, Asian Americans, and women. This book includes a history of voting rights that will be of interest to both seasoned voters and young people.

Credit must be given to Smith for her efforts to explain the complicated dimensions of gerrymandering, the Electoral College, and the impact of social media. Best of all, the author includes a practical checklist to prepare to vote and encourage others to do so during this important presidential election year.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING by Erin Geiger Smith describes "The Maddening, Enlightening, Inspiring Truth About Voting in America." Interestingly, Ann Patchett initiated the original research project and Smith turned the "writing adventure" into a book with three parts: How we got the vote; How to get people to vote; and Know before you vote. In the first, she provides some background on voting for people who in the past may have faced limitations on voting due to race, sex, ethnicity, and age (roughly four million potential new voters turn 18 each year). She also writes about voter suppression and explains terms such as ranked choice voting, automatic voter registration (and its positive impact on participation), and same-day registration. Next, Smith discusses efforts by high schools to get more young people registered, taking a child to vote, and enabling employers to encourage voting. The third section develops topics like gerrymandering, the free press and critical thinking about the news, polling and the role of the Electoral College.

A practical guide of roughly 250 pages, THANK YOU FOR VOTING contains extensive notes and a Checklist with items including getting registered (or updated), asking friends to vote with you, confirming ID requirements and setting up reminder alerts. The list goes on with specific steps to take 40, 30, even 10 days before an election. Overall, this text will be helpful to student researchers and to new voters who would do well to remember the message Smith quotes from the League of Women Voters: "If you confirm you're properly registered, know available voting methods and locations, and give yourself time to get to the polls and wait in line, if necessary, then you can vote."