A clear, engaging introduction to how voting works in the United States—and why it matters—Drawing the Vote presents the history of American voting rights in a format designed for today's readers. Through accessible comics storytelling, it traces the evolution of democracy from its earliest foundations to the forces shaping elections in the present day.
Following key moments including the American Revolution, the Civil War, the fight for women's suffrage, and the civil rights movement, this book connects these milestones to modern issues such as gerrymandering and voter access. By placing current debates in historical context, it helps readers understand how past decisions continue to influence how Americans vote today.
The graphic format balances complex ideas with visual clarity, making topics like electoral systems, political divides, and civic participation easier to grasp. The result is a concise but wide-ranging overview of the structures and challenges that define American democracy.
Written for future voters, the book serves as a practical primer on civic participation, offering readers a clearer understanding of their role in the democratic process and why informed engagement matters.
"Drawing the Vote is a great pick for both adults and young Americans who want to understand what it means to be a voter." ―Shelf Awareness
Praise
School Library Journal - STARRED review"Jenkins’s rousing work will inspire students to educate themselves on the issues—and, when the time comes, to vote early and often."
—
“This is a great year to brush up voting rights, especially the laws surrounding distance voting, and this book is a great start.”GeekMom
—
“Written with a progressive tone, this work’s clear factual nature makes it a worthy read for anyone across the political spectrum…”Library Journal
—
“A panoptic history of the vote that breaks down everything from gerrymandering to Americans for Prosperity's dark influence, Drawing the Vote is a great pick for both adults and young Americans who want to understand what it means to be a voter.”Shelf Awareness
—
"The exposition and Lacker’s simple but energetic illustrations combine to pack valuable information on each page, while making even complex issues (such as the racism of white suffragists who fought for the 19th Amendment) easy to follow. Suited best to younger readers new to the topic, Jenkins’s work lays out the high-stakes history clearly and succinctly."Publishers Weekly
—
