What You Need to Know About Voting—and Why

April 15, 2020
A thorough examination of the specifics of voting in the U.S. Constitutional scholar and law professor Wehle has designed this book as a guide for those seeking greater insight into a variety of related topics, including the slippery concept of the right to vote, the background basics of voting, and the structural barriers to voting. Though the writing is clear and conversational, there is a serious aura about the proceedings. She introduces readers to what she calls the "Voter Two-Step"--first register, then vote. This is not as simple as it sounds, as each state has its own stipulations; furthermore, the Constitution has no express provision conferring the right to vote. State legislatures administer federal, state, and local elections, so Wehle offers state-by-state breakdowns of specific requirements; early, provisional, and absentee voting; and the rights of those with disabilities. She then explores one of the most controversial elements of our political process, the Electoral College--"If this sounds to you like an insider's game, you're right. If this sounds bizarrely anti-democratic, you're right again"--before moving on to gerrymandering ("politics-driven...congressional districts"); term limits; voter fraud and its cousin, voter suppression; the dicey role of money in politics; and the troubling role played by the Supreme Court regarding campaign finance laws. Though Wehle can--and has reason to--get cynical at times, she cogently lays out what readers need to know, all with an eye on an important question: "Who...is in charge of our democracy? If it's not 'We the People, ' who is it?" In the face of depressing news and statistics about voter turnout, tampering, and other issues, "the answer isn't despair or complacency," she writes. "The answer is to vote." An appendix lists state-by-state registration and identification requirements, among other useful information. A probing and limpid explanation of an often misunderstood patchwork of systems, requirements, and mechanisms. (illustrations)

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June 1, 2020
Law professor and CBS News legal expert Wehle offers a comprehensive primer on voting in the U.S. Drawing on her constitutional expertise, Wehle walks readers through the basics of how voting works state to state, and which articles and amendments in the Constitution relate to voting. She approaches the topic in three parts: what voters need to know about voting, federal elections and the electoral college, and why the right to vote for many citizens is under threat. Throughout her approachable and informative chapters, Wehle emphasizes the importance of voting and challenges the idea that a single person's vote does not matter. Each chapter ends with discussion questions to provoke a deeper understanding of the issues addressed. A thorough appendix allows readers to look up voting policies and how to run for office, state by state. What You Need to Know About Voting and Why is a clearly written resource for voters across the political spectrum, and is especially useful as we approach the 2020 presidential election.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)