U.S. Citizenship & Voting 101
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.
By Marvin N. Pichla
December 4, 2021
America’s “eternal flame” for passionate citizenship pride is fading because of the basics. And guess what? In some way everyone must accept a piece of the blame. Today more than ever before I believe the United States of America has lost its focus on our country’s need to support and build on the basics: citizenship and voting. I am not referring to issues like singing the National Anthem or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. No, I am suggesting that as individuals who hold a special membership within the United States, we need to rejuvenate and promote direct learning about the responsibilities of being a citizen of this country and also the importance of completing the minimum duty as a citizen… to VOTE!
For those of us who have worked for an extended period in the field of public administration, it is difficult to understand nor accept these citizenship and voting knowledge/participation gaps. However, it might be helpful to look historically at our own citizen-learnings to best comprehend why these gaps occur. First did your parents ever sit you down and talk, “Citizenship-isms,” and the personal responsibilities related to becoming a good United States citizen? It sounds simple, but did it happen? Likewise, did your parents, local government or school hold a session that explained the entire public system process for voting? I unfortunately must report that it did not happen for me but I am sure this form of specific, detailed training and learning occurs in certain areas across the country. However, shouldn’t there be a United States Citizenship & Voting awareness requirement?
My inspiration for selecting this article topic comes from the students that have yearly participated in my American Government & Politics classes. Every semester I am privileged to share instructional moments with primarily rural area students and also bring extra life to the course via a discussion segment we call: This Week In Government & Politics. As you can guess, the topics are many and the points of view diverse. However, the most common issue of class discussion is the lack of basic understanding of USA citizenship responsibilities and the instructional voids surrounding the action of voting. Students contend that our traditional education system primarily teaches them the governmental history of our country, but no entity/group instructs them on the minimum United States citizen duties/responsibilities listed below:
Mandatory Duties of U.S. Citizens
- Obeying the law. Every United States citizen must obey federal, state and local laws, and pay the penalties that can be incurred when a law is broken.
- Paying taxes.
- Serving on a jury when summoned.
- Registering with the Selective Service.
Responsibilities
- Support and defend the Constitution.
- Stay informed of the issues affecting your community.
- Participate in the democratic voting process.
- Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others.
- Participate in your local community.
It is extremely unfortunate that our education and governmental systems have unexpectedly allowed direct knowledge, responsibilities and actions connected to United States citizenship and voting to become something that “just happens” or is part of “assumed learning.” I believe even when instructional discussions happen regarding citizenship and voting, that these principles are blended into other important government and politics learning components and the extreme importance of both are lost.
Plus, isn’t it notable that, as hundreds of people come to the United States wanting to become citizens, we require that they participate in direct “citizenship” courses? Yet we assume resident Americans “naturally” obtain and maintain their citizenship comprehension for a lifetime.
Based on the results of this simple observational research, creating and introducing a common U.S. Citizenship & Voting 101 session might be considered the most appropriate, timely and personally responsible action to be taken by everyone dedicated to quality public administration. However some may insist that creating a new United States Citizenship & Voting 101 session may be overreacting or others might think that if existing services were enforced that traditional opportunities could effectively and efficiently respond to this need. However, let me proudly proclaim that the young adults in my classes do not think a “recycling” option would be best. Rather they brainstormed their own list of new age traditions and principles required for institutionalizing a United States Citizenship & Voting 101 session. A few of their unique ideas are as follows:
- Require newly registered voters to participate in a 2-3 hour U.S. Citizenship & Voting 101 session.
- Require the final Presidential candidates (or candidates for Governor) during an election year to separately facilitate a U.S. Citizenship & Voting 101 session on television instead of a debate.
- Allow 17-year-olds to “Vote-Shadow” their parents as they actually vote.
- Just like renewing your driver’s license, require citizens to take the 101 course again to renew their citizenship every 10 years.
- Have TV stations host complete U.S. Citizenship & Voting 101 sessions as public service announcements during a “Countdown-To-Voting-Week” special.
Our young adults may see the future more simply and progressively than we believe.
Author: Marvin N. Pichla, Ph.D., is the owner and creative adviser of Inspiring Innovations, Inc. Sharing his unique entrepreneurship and innovation in public service experience, Marv consults with public and private business, education and community organizations to develop new and different problem-solving methods through real-life, example-based learning.
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U.S. Citizenship & Voting 101
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.
By Marvin N. Pichla
December 4, 2021
America’s “eternal flame” for passionate citizenship pride is fading because of the basics. And guess what? In some way everyone must accept a piece of the blame. Today more than ever before I believe the United States of America has lost its focus on our country’s need to support and build on the basics: citizenship and voting. I am not referring to issues like singing the National Anthem or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. No, I am suggesting that as individuals who hold a special membership within the United States, we need to rejuvenate and promote direct learning about the responsibilities of being a citizen of this country and also the importance of completing the minimum duty as a citizen… to VOTE!
For those of us who have worked for an extended period in the field of public administration, it is difficult to understand nor accept these citizenship and voting knowledge/participation gaps. However, it might be helpful to look historically at our own citizen-learnings to best comprehend why these gaps occur. First did your parents ever sit you down and talk, “Citizenship-isms,” and the personal responsibilities related to becoming a good United States citizen? It sounds simple, but did it happen? Likewise, did your parents, local government or school hold a session that explained the entire public system process for voting? I unfortunately must report that it did not happen for me but I am sure this form of specific, detailed training and learning occurs in certain areas across the country. However, shouldn’t there be a United States Citizenship & Voting awareness requirement?
My inspiration for selecting this article topic comes from the students that have yearly participated in my American Government & Politics classes. Every semester I am privileged to share instructional moments with primarily rural area students and also bring extra life to the course via a discussion segment we call: This Week In Government & Politics. As you can guess, the topics are many and the points of view diverse. However, the most common issue of class discussion is the lack of basic understanding of USA citizenship responsibilities and the instructional voids surrounding the action of voting. Students contend that our traditional education system primarily teaches them the governmental history of our country, but no entity/group instructs them on the minimum United States citizen duties/responsibilities listed below:
Mandatory Duties of U.S. Citizens
Responsibilities
It is extremely unfortunate that our education and governmental systems have unexpectedly allowed direct knowledge, responsibilities and actions connected to United States citizenship and voting to become something that “just happens” or is part of “assumed learning.” I believe even when instructional discussions happen regarding citizenship and voting, that these principles are blended into other important government and politics learning components and the extreme importance of both are lost.
Plus, isn’t it notable that, as hundreds of people come to the United States wanting to become citizens, we require that they participate in direct “citizenship” courses? Yet we assume resident Americans “naturally” obtain and maintain their citizenship comprehension for a lifetime.
Based on the results of this simple observational research, creating and introducing a common U.S. Citizenship & Voting 101 session might be considered the most appropriate, timely and personally responsible action to be taken by everyone dedicated to quality public administration. However some may insist that creating a new United States Citizenship & Voting 101 session may be overreacting or others might think that if existing services were enforced that traditional opportunities could effectively and efficiently respond to this need. However, let me proudly proclaim that the young adults in my classes do not think a “recycling” option would be best. Rather they brainstormed their own list of new age traditions and principles required for institutionalizing a United States Citizenship & Voting 101 session. A few of their unique ideas are as follows:
Our young adults may see the future more simply and progressively than we believe.
Author: Marvin N. Pichla, Ph.D., is the owner and creative adviser of Inspiring Innovations, Inc. Sharing his unique entrepreneurship and innovation in public service experience, Marv consults with public and private business, education and community organizations to develop new and different problem-solving methods through real-life, example-based learning.
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