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LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin joins us to discuss the critical role of local elected leaders in shaping community policies and the importance of down-ballot races in elections. There are long-term consequences of voter apathy towards local elections, state propositions, and the need for civic engagement in governance reform. Local decisions can often outpace federal changes and the significance of understanding local ballot measures that directly affect schools and community infrastructure.
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Resources To Learn More:
Early Voting CalendarEditor’s Note: Politics is LocalIt’s Not Just About the White House: Down-ballot Voting is Important TooNick MelvoinPlan Your Vote: How to vote in the 2024 election in every stateRegister to Vote/Check Registration -
Secretary Adrian Fontes sheds light on the critical role of the Secretary of State's office in Arizona, particularly in election administration. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring election integrity, voter access, and combating misinformation as the state prepares for the upcoming 2024 elections. The discussion also highlights initiatives aimed at educating voters about changes in voting laws and the importance of community outreach to underserved populations.
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Adrian Fontes | Arizona Secretary of StateArizona Election Results and Maps 2020Early Voting CalendarPlan Your Vote: How to vote in the 2024 election in every stateRegister to Vote/Check Registration -
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As early voting kicks off for the 2024 election, it’s time to check your voter registration and brush up on the rules—each state has its own. In this episode, we'll explore the challenges voters face across the country, break down varying state regulations, and discuss the potential impact of proposed laws, like proof of citizenship requirements. Plus, we'll examine how these changes could affect government funding and the future of our elections.
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Resources To Learn More:
Early Voting CalendarHouse speaker takes another crack at spending bill linked to proof of citizenship for new voters | AP NewsPlan Your Vote: How to vote in the 2024 election in every stateRegister to Vote/Check RegistrationThe Expansion of Voting Before Election Day, 2000–2024 -
NBC News Political and National Correspondent, Jacob Soboroff, discusses his experiences at the Republican National Convention (RNC) and the Democratic National Convention (DNC), highlighting the atmosphere and key themes of each event. He emphasizes the importance of unity and understanding in politics, particularly in relation to the economy and everyday life.
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Harris-Trump ABC News presidential debate: How to watch, what to knowHow the electorate has changed in key states and what it could mean this electionSeparated – HarperCollinsThe ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication. -
Does the Vice Presidential pick really matter? The role of the Vice President has evolved from a tool for geographical and factional balancing to one focused on experience, ideological alignment, and demographic diversity. This episode also delves into the concept of a ‘vibes election,’ where the overall mood and emotional connection voters feel toward candidates play a significant role.
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Resources To Learn More:
Trump Downplays Importance of Choosing a Running Mate - The New York TimesVibes and jibes - why Harris picked Walz as running mateWhat to know about Harris' VP pick Tim Walz | AP NewsWho is JD Vance? Things to know about Donald Trump's pick for vice president5 Vice Presidential Candidates Who Made an Impact | HISTORY -
Amid the whirlwind of news surrounding President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race, this conversation delves into the parallels and contrasts between the current political landscape and the Democratic Party's tumultuous summer of 1968. Discover the crucial role of delegates in the nomination process and the shifting power dynamics within the party. We also explore the historical context of George Washington's farewell address and its enduring relevance to today's political climate.
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Resources To Learn More:
Davis, J. E., Fernlund, P. F., & Woll, P. (2005). Civics: Government and Economics in Action. Pearson Prentice Hall.McClenaghan, W. A., & Magruder, F. A. (2003). Magruder’s American Government. Prentice Hall. Biden's speech: Warnings about Trump without naming him, a hefty to-do list, and a power handoff Delegates explainedWashington's Farewell Address, 1796What happens now that Biden dropped out? The chaotic 1968 Democratic convention could be a clue.What to know about the Democratic convention with Harris's likely nomination2024 Presidential Nominating Process - Democrats -
This conversation explores the purpose and significance of national conventions, focusing on the upcoming Republican National Convention (RNC). The RNC will officially nominate Donald Trump as the Republican candidate for president and is expected to reveal his vice presidential pick. The conversation also delves into the party platforms, with a detailed blueprint for a potential second Trump term and Trump's own platform. The platform guides the party's positions on various issues and influences campaign strategies.
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Resources To Learn More:
Davis, J. E., Fernlund, P. F., & Woll, P. (2005). Civics: Government and Economics in Action. Pearson Prentice Hall.McClenaghan, W. A., & Magruder, F. A. (2003). Magruder’s American Government. Prentice Hall.Project 2025Republican presidential nomination and delegates, explained | CNN PoliticsThe Republican Party lays out its 2024 policy platform : NPR1924: The Wildest Convention in U.S. History - POLITICO Magazine -
This conversation covers the basics of American elections, including the role of the Constitution, the Electoral College, and potential ways to eliminate or reform it. The Electoral College is a system used to elect the President and Vice President, where each state is granted a certain number of electors based on its representation in Congress. The winner-takes-all approach in most states can result in winning the Electoral College but losing the popular vote.
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Resources To Learn More:
Davis, J. E., Fernlund, P. F., & Woll, P. (2005). Civics: Government and Economics in Action. Pearson Prentice Hall.McClenaghan, W. A., & Magruder, F. A. (2003). Magruder’s American Government. Prentice Hall. 2024 Presidential and Congressional Primary Dates and Candidate Filing Deadlines for Ballot AccessIt's time to abolish the Electoral College | BrookingsLive updates: Biden and Trump to face off at CNN presidential debateMajority of Americans continue to favor moving away from Electoral CollegeThe Constitution of the United States | National ArchivesThe Electoral College: What’s to be Done – Ash Center -
What is the role of political parties in American politics? Political parties are groups of citizens who attempt to influence and control the government by getting their members elected. The main goal of political parties is to control the government and win elections.
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Show Notes
Davis, J. E., Fernlund, P. F., & Woll, P. (2005). Civics: Government and Economics in Action. Pearson Prentice Hall.McClenaghan, W. A., & Magruder, F. A. (2003). Magruder’s American Government. Prentice Hall. Distribution of Electoral Votes | National ArchivesHouse rejects Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson, but chaos lingersInside Trump's stunning flip-flop on early votingRobert F. Kennedy Jr. pushes for nationwide ballot access | CNN PoliticsWho's voting for Robert Kennedy Jr.? | Ipsos -
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While political parties and ideologies have similarities, they're not exactly alike. The basic beliefs of American liberals and conservatives shape people's political views. Additionally, a recent poll suggests more Americans actually agree on many core values, despite differences in politics.
Davis, J. E., Fernlund, P. F., & Woll, P. (2005). Civics: Government and Economics in Action. Pearson Prentice Hall.
McClenaghan, W. A., & Magruder, F. A. (2003). Magruder’s American Government. Prentice Hall.
Most say democracy is important for the U.S. identity, but few think it is functioning well - AP-NORC
The Human, Economic, Social, and Political Costs of COVID-19 - PMC
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Article III of the Constitution establishes the Supreme Court and the Constitutional framers also gave Congress the authority to establish the federal court system. This hierarchical structure of courts makes up the judicial branch of government that we still have today. All federal judges are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. The Judges who oversee the federal courts are intended to be nonpartisan and shielded away from politics.
Show Notes
Article III | Resources | Constitution Annotated | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
Davis, J. E., Fernlund, P. F., & Woll, P. (2005). Civics: Government and Economics in Action. Pearson Prentice Hall.
Federal Courts & the Public | United States Courts
Understanding the Federal Courts | USCourts.gov
What is the Supreme Court and why does it have so much power? | CNN Politics
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Article II of the Constitution establishes the Executive Branch of the United States government. The Executive Branch is more than the President and Vice President, it's a sprawling network of departments and agencies responsible for executing the laws of the land. Additionally, the State of the Union is an annual speech given by the President. It's a duty assigned to the President by the Constitution.
Show Notes
U.S. Constitution - Article II | ResourcesDavis, J. E., Fernlund, P. F., & Woll, P. (2005). Civics: Government and Economics in Action. Pearson Prentice Hall.The Executive Branch | The White HouseWatch or listen to the 2024 State of the Union with NPRFollow us on Instagram and TikTok
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In this episode of Civic Sense, we explore Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. national government, comprised of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Article 1 of the Constitution serves as the blueprint, delineating rules, qualifications, powers and limitations for Congress.
Show Notes
U.S. Constitution - Article I | Resources
Davis, J. E., Fernlund, P. F., & Woll, P. (2005). Civics: Government and Economics in Action. Pearson Prentice Hall.
Guo, K. (2023, December 5). Kamala Harris Breaks Record of Tiebreaking Votes in the Senate - The New York Times.
The House Explained - HOUSE.GOV
U.S. Senate: Types of Legislation - SENATE.GOV
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The Constitution formed a republic, a government where its citizens elect representatives to enact the laws. The United States Framers feared having a government with too much authority, which is why the Constitution established rules between the national government and states, along with a system of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances.
Show Notes
Davis, J. E., Fernlund, P. F., & Woll, P. (2005). Civics: Government and Economics in Action. Pearson Prentice Hall.
The Presidential Veto and Congressional Veto Override Process. Center for Legislative Archives. https://www.archives.gov/files/legislative/resources/education/veto/background.pdf
Rebhun, E. (Ed.). (2020). How America Works: Understanding Your Government and How You Can Get Involved. Scholastic Inc.
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Congress was unable to deal with the challenges of running the new American government under the Articles of Confederation. In 1787, the Constitutional Convention was held and delegates created the Constitution the United States has been living under for over 200 years. We dive into the compromises made to write the living document we use today.
Show Notes
Davis, J. E., Fernlund, P. F., & Woll, P. (2005). Civics: Government and Economics in Action. Pearson Prentice Hall.
Francis, M. (2020, July 14). The Electoral College is tied to slavery. Teen Vogue. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/electoral- college-slavery-three-fifths-compromise-history
Philbrick, S. (2018, September 16). Understanding the three-Fifths compromise. Constitutional Accountability Center. https://www.theusconstitution.org/news/understanding-the-three-fifths-compromise/
U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). Constitutional Convention and Ratification, 1787–1789. U.S. Department of State. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/convention-and-ratification
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Americans have been living under the same Constitutional system we have today for over 230 years! But this wasn't the first American government system. Following the 13 colonies breaking away from England, the first American government was called the Articles of Confederation.
Show Notes:
Davis, J. E., Fernlund, P. F., & Woll, P. (2005). Civics: Government and Economics in Action. Pearson Prentice Hall.
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"Civic Sense" is a refresher course on how the government works. It goes beyond the basics and empowers listeners, giving them all the tools to develop their own political opinions and beliefs — because informed citizens are the cornerstone of a thriving democracy. Join a seasoned teacher and former student on a journey to bridge the civic knowledge gap, where understanding history becomes key to solving modern issues.
