Voter education has a tradition that is as long and as brief as the conduct of modern elections.
Universal education in the modern, democratic state was itself intended to promote and support democracy. Those waging campaigns for extension of the franchise also conducted public information and education programmes. The League of Women Voters in the United States, for example, retains a strong, non-partisan programme to ensure that voters make informed political choices.
Voter education has long been the domain of electoral authorities. More recently, however, organizations active in educating and mobilizing voters, as well as broader issues of citizenship and democracy, have become more diviserfied. Today, those interested and involved in voter education come from a broad range of backgrounds.
Some may have a background in electoral administration. Others may have experience in civic education, public advocacy, conflict resolution, mass communication, training, or primary, secondary, advanced, or adult education. Some may have worked extensively with special constituencies such as youth, the elderly, the handicapped, ethnic or linquistic minorities, or women. And, their backgrounds are likely to influence the approach, style, content, and audience of the voter education programmes with which they are involved.
The discussion about differing approaches and the implications of this can be found in the general section
Civic Education. The manner in which educators' differing backgrounds and values can impact voter education programs can be found under Educator Values.
