Civics Assignments for April 13-17

The end of the grading period is Friday.  Be sure to submit work by Sunday night so I can have grades submitted Monday morning.


Information about "Absentee" voting for the West Virginia Primary Election:

• Recently, Governor Justice announced that the primary election has been moved to June 9 due to COVID-19 and has worked with the WV Secretary of State's office to expand absentee voting so voters do not have to risk going to voting precincts.  Traditionally, absentee voting is usually limited to those would be out of the area during the early election or regular election time.
• All registered voters should have received from the county clerk's office a request in the mail.  If you fill this out and mail it by June 3, you should receive the absentee ballot in the mail and then mail it back to the county clerk's office.  
• Contact the county clerk's office at 304-265-1401 or taylorcounty@wvsos.com to contact the Taylor County Clerk.
• This website has information about voting in West Virginia.  The deadline to register to vote or update four registration for the 2020 Primary Election is May 19, 2020.  
• You can vote as long as you turn 18 by November 3, 2020.

Information about the 2020 U.S. Census:

• Most families should have received information about completing this year's U.S. Census.  
• I did not receive a mailing possibly due to the fact I do not get my mail at my physical address, but at a Post Office box.
• I was able to complete the Census online without the code in a mailing.  All you have to do is state that you did not receive a code and it will ask for your physical address. Then you will be able to fill out the short questionnaire.
• It is important to fill out the Census due to much federal funding is distributed based on population and needs in specific areas.
• West Virginia has the second least response rate at just under 36 percent, compared to the national response rate of 48%.  You can view the national statistics here.  

Assignments for the week:

1. Here are three writing assignments to work on this week:
1. Consider the role of federalism in the COVID-19 situation the nation is facing at this time.  I hope you have followed the news via television, newspapers, and/or websites and have thought about the roles of the national government and state/local governments.  (60 points)
1. Write at least three paragraphs considering the roles of officials at the national and state/local governments for the following topics:  stay at home orders, unemployment benefits, health data/public health, and health equipment.
2. When writing, think about whether dual federalism or cooperative federalism is existing.  Is there fiscal federalism taking place in this national crisis.  You can look up information about these topics for your writing.  
2. The second writing assignment is linked to the economy.  We have seen the importance of "essential" jobs that must remain at the worksite and others who are able to work at home.  I would like you to discuss the current situation of essential jobs and workplaces and predict how the economy and workplaces in different sectors will change in the future following this crisis.  Include essentials such as groceries and other retail, medical, white-collar/blue-collar jobs, and education.  Please write at least 3 paragraphs. (60 points)
3. Press Conference - Watch a news press conference by the Governor or the President. Write down the important details of his speech/ report. The Governor's press conference is usually at 1:00 (shortly after) online or on a PBS station.  The President's press conference is usually in the afternoon.  Remember to note the date on your review.  (60 points)
2. Remember to put in the subject area of email and messages to what the assignment is about.  You can complete these by hand or type it out.  You can submit by email to rzukowsk@k12.wv.us, through Remind, OneNote, and even text to 304-997-4241.  Let me know if you have any questions.