How the history of American voting rights have shaped the way we vote today, the perfect primer for future voters-now in paperback!An updated edition of Tommy Jenkin's Drawing the Vote aimed at educating young readers. ?Originally published in the lead-up to the 2020 US presidential election, Drawing the Vote: A Graphic Novel History for Future Voters looks at the history of voting rights in the United States and how it has affected the way we vote today. Author and educator Tommy Jenkins was inspired by his students to trace this history from the earliest steps toward democracy during the American Revolution, to the upheaval caused by the Civil War, the fight for women's suffrage, the civil rights movement, the election of an African American president, and beyond. Along the way, Jenkins identifies events and trends that led to the unprecedented results of the 2016 presidential election that left many Americans wondering, "How did this happen?" At a time when many citizens are experiencing apathy about voting and skepticism concerning our bitterly divided political parties, Drawing the Vote seeks to offer some explanation for how we got here and how every American, young and old, can take action. The expanded paperback edition features an additional 32 pages of comics that cover the results of the 2020 presidential election and the factors that shaped it, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6 insurrection.
A clear, engaging introduction to how voting works in the United States-and why it matters-Drawing the Vote presents the history of American voting rights in a format designed for today's readers. Through accessible comics storytelling, it traces the evolution of democracy from its earliest foundations to the forces shaping elections in the present day.
Following key moments including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the fight for women's suffrage, and the civil rights movement, this book connects these milestones to modern issues such as gerrymandering and voter access. By placing current debates in historical context, it helps readers understand how past decisions continue to influence how Americans vote today.
The graphic format balances complex ideas with visual clarity, making topics like electoral systems, political divides, and civic participation easier to grasp. The result is a concise but wide-ranging overview of the structures and challenges that define American democracy.
Written for future voters, the book serves as a practical primer on civic participation, offering readers a clearer understanding of their role in the democratic process and why informed engagement matters.
"Drawing the Vote is a great pick for both adults and young Americans who want to understand what it means to be a voter." -Shelf Awareness
