Voices & Votes: How Democracy Works in Wisconsin
An essential introduction to civics for children in grades 3–5, this revised and updated edition is filled with tools and resources to inspire a new generation of readers to understand and participate in our democracy.
What are the different levels of government in Wisconsin? How are laws made? What is a political party? Who is allowed to vote in elections? How can citizens get involved in their communities? These questions and many more are answered in this revised and updated edition of Voices and Votes, written for students in grades 3–5.
Filled with color photos and illustrations—as well as diagrams, maps, and vocabulary words that make the material easy to absorb—Voices and Votes explores:
- The fundamentals of federal, state, local, and Tribal government
- How Wisconsin’s constitution was created and how it has changed
- The way elections work and why voting matters
Readers will also find compelling examples of citizens from our state’s past who spoke up and worked to change laws and policies in order to improve their communities, including:
- Jesus Salas, who worked with state agencies to improve the lives of migrant farmworkers in Wisconsin
- Gaylord Nelson, who advocated for the environment as a state senator, member of Congress, and governor
- Vel Phillips, who helped expand housing opportunities as a member of Milwaukee’s city council.
The book also offers contemporary stories of young people engaging with their communities, working to solve problems, and sharing their voices across our state. This brilliantly updated edition of Voices and Votes will inspire new generations of readers to understand and participate in our democracy.
