It’s YOUR (Political) Party! Background While it is not necessary to be part of a political party to make a difference in politics, political parties can help like-minded people and politicians collaborate and support each other throughout elections and in the government. Project 1. As a group, research and create policies on at least 4 issues that you, and youth voters, care about. Some ideas for issues are below, but you may choose others. - Health Care (More gov’t funding?) - Taxation (Increase taxes to support programs?) - The Environment (Increase protection? Minimize restrictions?) - National Defense (Spend more money on the military? Less?) - Criminal Law (Laws and punishment: additions and changes) -Old Age Pension (Give more/less money to retired people) -Voting age (How old before you can vote) -Education Spending (More/less money to fund education) -Foreign Aid (Give more/less money to support other countries) 2. Form a political party around those political positions and develop a name, a logo, a party slogan, and a platform to demonstrate where you stand on the issues to others. These should all be reflective of your party’s values. 3. Practise being a voter in a democracy by electing a leader for your party. 4. Create an advertising campaign for your political party by producing the following (each task will be the responsibility of ONE group member, but the party MUST support each member): Radio Ad – Create a 45-90 second radio ad to share your party’s core beliefs and convince people to vote for your party. This can include music and sound effects, but must include important messages about the party. Try to make your party sound exciting! TV/Video Ad – Create a 45-90 second video to share your party’s core beliefs and convince people to vote for your party. Consider watching other political video ads for ideas. Try to make your party seem exciting! Poster OR Pamphlet – Create a physical or digital poster about your party (for digital consider using Canva). Allows readers to find out what your party’s platform is and why they should vote for your party. This should look nice so that people will take your party seriously. Persuasive Speech – Create a speech that is approximately 2 minutes in length. Your speech should try to convince people to vote for your party. This will be read to the class and should share information about your party’s platform and have the public (our class) see your party in a positive light. Try to be expressive and conversational (try not to sound like a robot).
