Recommended Reading: Current Theme: Democracy in America

Who Has the Right to Vote in America?  (PBS)
In this episode of Civics Made Easy, Ben Sheehan uncovers the surprising – and often overlooked – true history of voting rights in America. From the founding era to Reconstruction to Civil Rights to today, this is the story that may not have been fully taught in school. Case in point: Americans don’t actually have a constitutional right to vote for president…

How Elections Really Work (PBS)

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Is the United States a Democracy or a Republic?
What kind of government did the Founders create for the United States? And did they have the same definition of a democracy as we do today? Discover why our government is set up the way it is, how your voice shapes our government and why voting matters today.

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Dismantling Democracy  (2020)
This series examines democratic structures of government in the United States and around the world. Featuring interviews from across the political spectrum, the series depicts the gradual deterioration of the democratic process. Through a critical look at the historical and current state of democracies, it becomes evident that preserving democracy is a feat no less significant than its establishment. So, are we up to this pressing task of preserving democracy?  
Part 1: America, Land of the Free? (Dismantling Democracy) Full Video (56:43)

Part 2, Democracy around the World (Dismantling Democracy)  Full Video(56.47)

Part 3: The Way Forward (Dismantling Democracy) Full Video(56:50)

Barriers and Hardships: Why Some Youth Didn’t Vote in 2024  (Tufts University)
 July 31, 2025 : Lack of information, educational inequities, and financial struggles shaped youth participation in the past election.

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How Younger Voters Will Impact Elections: a Series from the Brookings Institute  
(Brookings Institute 2023) 
A series of articles focusing on different aspects of younger voters, such as social media and legacy media, evangelicals, Latino voters, third parties, political affiliations, and more.

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Young People and the 2024 Election: Struggling, Disconnected, and Dissatisfied   (Tufts University)
January 15, 2025

At a Glance: Main Findings

• Multiple Barriers: Some youth were ignored by campaigns or lacked support to vote, but 44% of young nonvoters were disinterested or disliked the candidates.
• Informed and Qualified: 3 out of 4 youth saw at least some information about registering to vote and felt well-qualified to cast a ballot.
• Politically Homeless: Less than 1 in 4 youth, and just 13% of those who didn't vote, feel like they belong to a group that expresses itself politically.
• Issues Are Key: Nearly half of youth who voted said one of their top motivations was the desire to have an impact on the issues they care about.
• Diverse Priorities: The cost of living/Inflation was far and away youth's top issue, but they were also concerned with healthcare, abortion, climate and immigration.
• Struggling Financially: More than 40% of youth, and over 60% of young nonvoters, sometimes or often find it difficult to meet basic needs.
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