1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. How will the NY State Democratic Committee know whether New York Democrats voted in this election?

3. a) What did the NY State Democratic Committee letter to voters actually say?
b) Which registered Democrats did the Committee sent the letters to? What was also mailed to these voters along with the letter?

4. How are Democratic consultants and voters reacting to the letter?

5. How did the New York State Democratic Committee defend the letter?

6. From paragraph 15-16: “Such attempts to shame people to vote - what politicos call ‘social pressure’ or peer pressure - has become more common place and was used by the Obama campaign in 2012, sources said. A Yale University study in 2008 found that voter participation increased substantially after lazy voters received letters telling them their spotty voting history was a public record that would be scrutinized.”
a) Would receiving this type of letter move you to vote? Explain your answer.
b) Did you know your voting record can be accessed online? (It is public record.)
c) Do you think individual voting records (when and whether or not you vote) should be public record?  Why or why not?
d) Ask a parent if he/she supports the New York Democratic Committee’s letter and voter record card sent to registered voters who did not vote.
e) Discuss all of your answers to question #6 with a parent.

CHALLENGE: The Democratic Party presents itself as being the party that does more for immigrants. What type of effect do you think this letter would have on an immigrant who has just become a citizen and/or who comes from a country where the people are not free?