This digital story recording was created in conjunction with the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street program and its Stories from Main Street student documentary initiative, called "Coming Home." The project encourages students and their mentors to research and record stories about small-towns and rural neighborhoods, waterways, personal memories, cultural traditions, work histories, as well as thoughts about American democracy. These documentaries are then shared on Smithsonian websites and social media.
Working with the Historical Society of Baltimore County, students at Pikesville High School interviewed scholars and local leaders to learn more about the voting process and how it has changed. This video produced by Pikesville students introduces voting laws and trends in Maryland and other states and offers insight into how democracy works today, especially with the impacts of societal change and social media. “Voices & Votes” was developed by Pikesville High School and the Historical Society of Baltimore County as part of the Smithsonian Institution’s Coming Home Youth Program. Local assistance provided by Maryland Humanities. Funding assistance provided by Constellation, an Exelon company. This project was completed by Pikesville High School students working with Mr. John Lambert (Social Studies) and Mr. Atom Zerfas (Advisor, Interactive Media Production).
Speaker 1 (00:53): How can one have an impact? For many teens and young adults, it can seem as though our desires to impact the politics and policies of our government are unachievable. How can we transform our abstract wants for change into tangible, influential actions? How can our individual voices be involved in a narrative greater than ourselves? While the methods of activism have evolved and been refined as our nation has grown, an invaluable step one can take towards defining their voice is by voting. It is a small but crucial choice that starts by learning how to fill and send your ballot.
Speaker 2 (01:26): The first step of the voting process is to submit a voter registration application to your local board of elections. To register, you'll need to provide either your state ID number or your driver's license number. Once you're registered to vote, research the policies and promises made by candidates. Consider not only the goals of each politician, but their plans for achieving each goal as well. Once you know who you want to vote for, check Baltimore's Board of Elections to review the rules and regulations of voting. After familiarizing yourself with Baltimore's voting guidelines, use resources like vote.org either to locate a polling place in your area or to order a mail-in ballot. Congratulations. After ensuring you have registered to vote, confirming who you'll vote for, familiarizing yourself with local voting regulations and deciding whether to vote in person or on paper, you are ready to fulfill your civic duty. Now go cast your vote.
Speaker 2 (02:18): Of course, specific rules for voting vary by state. For example, in Maryland, 16 year olds can register in advance before cast their ballot at 18. Voters may cast their ballots at nearby polling places or by filling out an absentee ballot and sending it in the mail or going to a drop off location.
Asset ID: 2022.24.01
Visit www.museumonmainstreet.org for a complete transcript
