A Civics Lesson Before Elections

Elections are coming up soon and for the very first time, I will be voting. I made sure that I registered to vote since I am a college student and it gets difficult.  I don’t how many times I have been asked to list an address and wondered if I should list the Boise one or the one here.

Anyway, I want to talk about being able to vote for the first time. For a lot of us who are able to vote, we just take it for granted. We might even not participate because we can’t get to the polls or don’t believe that our vote will get anywhere. I can say that I can vote thanks to my parents.

As some of you know, to become a citizen, you have to apply after being here for at least 5 years. You then have to take a naturalization test and answer six out of ten questions right, show evidence of English skills in following directions, reading and writing and send money for your paperwork. For kids who are under 18 years old, they automatically become citizens with their parents. The year my parents took the exam, I was in United States History so I knew all the answers to the practice tests that they have on-line... all 100 of them. After interning this semester with an organization that works with refugees for the citizenship test and English, I realize how thankful I should be to my parents.

 Humor me and answer these questions to the best of your abilities and without the help of anything.

         1.      If both the President and Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

2.      Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

3.      Who is one of your state’s US senators right now?

4.      When was the constitution written?

5.      Name one war fought by the US in the 1800s

6.      There were 13 original states. Name three.

7.      The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the US Constitution. Name one of the writers.

8.      The House of Representatives has how many voting members?

9.      Why did the colonists fight the British?

10.  How many amendments does the Constitution have?

If you got 6/10, congrats! If you didn't, it looks like you've got some studying to do. If you want to see the answers or other questions, you can go on the USCIS website.

            For some people, those questions are nothing because it’s stuff they've heard about or learned all their lives. For people like my parents, this was all new information and in a different language. At my internship, I've seen people working hard to try and understand all this talk about the Constitution, wars that the US fought in and presidents. These people aren't slow or stupid; they simply have to grasp these new concepts that will make a difference in their lives. If they fail, they have to reapply, send in money and retake the exam. It’s really best for them to pass the first time!

            As I look at pictures in the office with new citizens and think of my own parents, I am thankful for the efforts they put in, the fact that they nailed the exam and that they can tell you all you need to know about the United States.