How One State Is Planning to Counter Election Conspiracy Theories
Ask students: Where have two people recently been convicted of making threats to election officials? Why has Arizona been a "hotbed" of election conspiracy theories?
Arizona became a hotbed of election conspiracies after former President Trump spread lies about the state’s handling of the 2020 vote count. Now, election officials in this key battleground are preparing for round two.
View the transcript here.
Discussion Questions
- Where have two people recently been convicted of making threats to election officials?
- Why has Arizona been a "hotbed" of election conspiracy theories?
- Who is Stephen Richer and what is his role in Arizona?
- When did the Arizona legislature seize voting equipment, and what did their audit find?
- What are some of the ways Arizona is preparing for the 2024 presidential election?
Focus Questions
- Why do you think conspiracy theories over elections have grown more widespread in recent years?
- What would be one thing you would recommend states do to build security into their election systems?
- Media literacy: Why do you think this segment focused on the state of Arizona, even if election conspiracy theories are a problem across the country?
Extension Activity
A. Research conspiracy theories in US history ranging from Abraham Lincoln's assassination to the moon landing was a fake using this lesson plan, which also includes the video, Helene recovery complicated by lies, hoaxes and conspiracy theories.
B. Watch the video below about foreign governments exploiting division over the elections and discuss as a class:
- Why do you think adversarial governments are using social media and other strategies to create division and encourage violence in the U.S.?
- Why do you think this strategy wasn't used 10 or 20 years ago?
- How do you think state and federal officials should try to counter this interference?
2024 Election Lesson Plans and Resources
Explore our election resources to engage your students in learning about the election process and its significance at every level. Discover lessons on election fundamentals, laws, security, current events, youth involvement, and historic U.S. elections.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of NewsHour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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