Thank You for Voting

The Maddening, Enlightening, Inspiring Truth About Voting in America

By: Erin Geiger Smith

Narrated by: Lisa Cordileone

Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

In this concise, lively look at the past, present, and future of voting, a journalist examines the long and continuing fight for voting equality, why so few Americans today vote, and innovative ways to educate and motivate them; included are checklists of what to do before election day to prepare to vote and encourage others.

Voting is a prized American right and a topic of debate from the earliest days of the country. Yet in the 2016 presidential election, about 40 percent of Americans - and half of the country’s young adults - didn’t vote. Why do so many Americans choose not to vote, and what can we do about it?

The problem, Erin Geiger Smith contends, is a lack of understanding about our electoral system and a need to make voting more accessible. Thank You for Voting is her eye-opening look at the voting process, starting with the Framers’ perspective, through the Equal Protection amendment and the Voting Rights Act, to the present and simple actions individuals can take to increase civic participation in local, state, and national elections.

Geiger Smith expands our knowledge about our democracy - including women’s long fight to win the vote, attempts to suppress newly enfranchised voters' impact, state prohibitions against felons voting, charges of voter fraud and voter suppression, and other vital issues. In a conversational tone, she explains topics that can confuse even the most informed voters: polling, news literacy, gerrymandering, and the Electoral College. She also explores how age, race, and socioeconomic factors influence turnout.

Ultimately, Thank You for Voting offers hope. Geiger Smith challenges corporations to promote voting, and offers examples of how companies like Patagonia and Walmart have taken up the task in a non-partisan way. And she reveals how get-out-the-vote movements - such as television star Yara Shahidi’s voting organization, Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote campaign, and on-the-ground young activists - innovatively use technology and grassroots techniques to energize first-time voters.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Erin Geiger Smith (P)2020 HarperAudio

A must read for every American

A thorough examination of all aspects of voting, including proven strategies to mobilize others to vote and how to approach the process in an informed manner. An interesting and accessible survey of voting geared towards adults (including young adults) of all ages and knowledge levels on the topic

Every caring citizen should read this book

I’ve not read a more timely book. The voting turnout IS maddening! This journalist puts it all in simple terms yet tells a deep story. And there’s a young reader’s version! It’s sharp and concise.

Decent listen

There is some great history in this book, but for me there was too much time spent in what amounts to a high school civics class. I still enjoyed it.