All across the United States today, people will head to the polls and cast their votes in this important midterm election! What’s a midterm election, you ask? A midterm election is the vote that’s held two years after a presidential election (or, to put it another way, it's the vote that’s held in the middle of a president’s term).
Members of the House of Representatives, who serve two-year terms, are all on the ballot during midterm elections. So are certain members of the U.S. Senate (senators serve six-year terms) and some governors.
Although midterm elections may receive less attention than presidential elections, they are still very important. No matter your political beliefs, casting your vote is a crucial way to let your representatives know what issues matter to you. And, if you’re lucky, your polling place might give you one of those awesome "I Voted!" stickers!
In honor of Election Day, here is a great collection of resources about voting and politicians that that will get you pumped to rock the vote!
- From Scholastic Update magazine, “History: The Right to Vote” – an article that explores 200 years’ worth of efforts to extend voting rights to all citizens, regardless of race or sex.
- My Senator and Me: A Dog's Eye View Of Washington, D.C. – Lots of elected officials have pets while serving out their terms, including U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, who represented the state of Massachusetts for 47 years. This book tells the story of Splash, the senator’s loyal companion, and gives readers a canine’s point of view of the U.S. Senate and Washington D.C.!
- Being a Governor – Exactly what it sounds like, this book explains to readers who can become a governor, and what it means to run an entire state.
- Popular Vote – This fun YA novel tells the story of what happens when Erin Bright, goes up against her boyfriend and her father - the mayor of her town - to stand up for a cause she believes in.
Special thanks to our librarian Deimosa for finding all these great reads!
