60-Second Civics Podcast
972 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★ - 76 ratings60-Second Civics is a daily podcast that provides a quick and convenient way for listeners to learn about our nation's government, the Constitution, and our history. The podcast explores themes related to civics and government, the constitutional issues behind the headlines, and the people and ideas that formed our nation's history and government.
60-Second Civics is produced by the Center for Civic Education. The show's content is primarily derived from the Center's education for democracy curricula, including We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Project Citizen, Foundations of Democracy, and Elements of Democracy.
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Episodes
60-Second Civics: Episode 4165, A President's Inherent Powers: The Power of the Presidency, Part 3
November 15, 2020 08:00Today: some controversial inherent powers of presidents. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 2, A Framework for Presidential Power: The Power of the Presidency, Part 2
November 14, 2020 08:00Today we kick off a brief series on the power of the presidency. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4164, A Framework for Presidential Power: The Power of the Presidency, Part 2
November 14, 2020 08:00Justice Robert Jackson's concurring opinion in Youngstown Sheet and Tube v. Sawyer (1952) sets forth a framework that is widely used to assess presidential power. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4163, Presidential Powers: The Power of the Presidency, Part 1
November 13, 2020 08:00Today we kick off a brief series on the power of the presidency. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4162, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 43: Referendum and Recall
November 12, 2020 08:00On today's podcast we learn about two political processes that directly involve the people: referendums and recall elections. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4161, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 42: Ballot Initiatives
November 11, 2020 08:00There are two types of ballot initiatives: direct and indirect. Learn the difference on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4160, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 41: Gerrymandering
November 10, 2020 08:00The term "gerrymandering" is named after a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention, Governor Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts. His political party drew a partisan electoral district designed to give them victory. A newspaper editor pinned the blame on Gerry, naming the salamander-shaped district "gerrymander." Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4159, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 40: One Person, One Vote
November 09, 2020 08:00The principle of "one person, one vote" means that each congressional district in a state must have a roughly equal population as those in other states. This applies only the House, however. The Senate is based on equal representation, with each state receiving two senators. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4158, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 39: The Popular Vote and the Electoral Vote
November 08, 2020 08:00The Electoral College was devised as a compromise by the Framers of the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. This complicated system, where the winner of the popular vote in most states get all the electoral votes of the state, means that the winner of the popular vote does not always win the presidency. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4157, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 38: How the Electoral College Works
November 07, 2020 08:00The Electoral College might seem like a complicated method of choosing a president, but on this episode of 60-Second Civics, we'll explain how it works. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4156, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 37: Why We Have the Electoral College
November 06, 2020 08:00Although the Framers of the Constitution considered having the president be directly elected by the people, they instead created the Electoral College. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4155, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 36: The Importance of a Peaceful Transition of Power
November 05, 2020 08:00Why does it matter that we have a peaceful transition of power in a democracy? We'll hear from David Levine, an Elections Integrity Fellow from the bipartisan Alliance for Securing Democracy. This is the final episode in our series on election security with David Levine. Thank you, David, for helping us better understand our electoral system! Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4154, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 35: Verifying the Vote with David Levine
November 04, 2020 08:00What do elections officials do on the day after the election? We'll find out from David Levine, an Elections Integrity Fellow from the bipartisan Alliance for Securing Democracy. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4153, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 34: How the Votes are Counted with David Levine
November 03, 2020 08:00Happy Election Day! On today's podcast, David Levine, an Elections Integrity Fellow from the bipartisan Alliance for Securing Democracy, explains what elections officials do on Election Day. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4152, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 33: How Voting Works with David Levine
November 02, 2020 08:00Today we are joined once again by David Levine, an Elections Integrity Fellow from the bipartisan Alliance for Securing Democracy. David explains how voting actually works in the United States. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4151, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 32: Election Security with David Levine
November 01, 2020 07:00Today we are joined by a very special guest, David Levine, who is an Elections Integrity Fellow from the bipartisan Alliance for Securing Democracy. David talks about election security, elections officials, signature verification, and what to do if there are any problems casting your vote. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4150, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 31: Voting, Registration, and Participation
October 31, 2020 07:00The states make many decisions regarding voting rights, and most states require citizens to register before voting. Although voter turnout has surged in the days leading up to the 2020 presidential election, in recent years there has been a steady decline in voter turnout for elections. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4149, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 30: International Context of Twenty-sixth Amendment
October 30, 2020 07:00Most Western democracies lowered the voting age to eighteen in the 1970s. Some have even lowered it to sixteen. But a few still retain a minimum voting age of twenty-one. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4148, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 29: Shootings Gave Twenty-sixth Amendment Renewed Urgency
October 29, 2020 07:00Two incidents in 1970 galvanized the movement to lower the voting age to eighteen: the Kent State and Jackson State shootings of anti-war demonstrators. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4147, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 28: "Old Enough to Fight, Old Enough to Vote"
October 28, 2020 07:00"Old enough to fight, old enough to vote" originated during World War II. The argument has resonance with the Declaration of Independence, which says, "the just powers of government are derived from the consent of the governed. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4146, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 27: Cultural Context of the Twenty-sixth Amendment
October 27, 2020 07:00The countercultural movement of the 1960s and the Vietnam War provided the cultural context to the movement to lower the voting age to 18. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4145, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 26: Oregon v. Mitchell
October 26, 2020 07:00The Oregon v. Mitchell Supreme Court case in 1970 gave added motivation for supporters of lowering the voting age to push for a constitutional amendment to reduce the national voting age to 18. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4144, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 25: Vietnam and the Twenty-sixth Amendment
October 25, 2020 00:00The Vietnam War motivated the states to take up the ratification process for the Twenty-sixth Amendment with a sense of urgency. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4143, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 24: The Twenty-sixth Amendment
October 24, 2020 00:00The Twenty-sixth Amendment mandates that federal and state legislatures not interfere with the right to vote of citizens eighteen years of age or older in federal, state, and local elections. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4142, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 23: Shelby County v. Holder
October 23, 2020 00:00On today's podcast we learn how Shelby County v. Holder changed the Voting Rights Act. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4141, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 22: The Voting Rights Act of 1965
October 22, 2020 00:00The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a step in the right direction, but it did not protect voting rights. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits discrimination based on race, eliminates literacy tests, poll taxes, and discriminatory voter registration practices. It also requires voting materials and assistance in appropriate languages in places with significant numbers of voters who do not speak English. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4140, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 21: Prelude to the Voting Rights Act
October 21, 2020 07:00Both the the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and the Civil Rights Act of 1960 were meant to eliminate interference with the right to vote. Both of the acts paved the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4139, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 20: Removing Obstacles to Native American Voting
October 20, 2020 07:00Native Americans were often deprived of their right to vote until Congress took action. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4138, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 19: Indian Citizenship Act of 1924
October 19, 2020 07:00In several states, Native Americans are viewed as an increasingly important voting bloc. Only in 1924 did the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 extend the right to Native Americans, but the states continued to block Native access to the polls until at least 1965. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4137, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 18: Native American Citizenship and Voting
October 18, 2020 07:00The Framers considered Native Americans to be members of their tribes, not citizens of the United States, and were not allowed to vote. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4136, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 17: The Nineteenth Amendment
October 17, 2020 07:00As the United States entered World War I, pressure to recognize the right of women to vote increased. After the war, women launched a national campaign that included huge parades, demonstrations, picketing, and civil disobedience in Washington, D.C. The Nineteenth Amendment was finally adopted in 1920. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4135, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 16: The Slow March of Women's Suffrage
October 16, 2020 07:00Women in the United States gained the right to vote only in small increments. Plenty of excuses were offered for not recognizing the right of women to vote. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4134, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 15: State Voting Rights for Women
October 15, 2020 07:00In 1869 Wyoming, while still a territory, gave women the right to vote. By 1918 more than half the states had enfranchised women. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4133, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 14: Equal Voting Rights for Women
October 14, 2020 07:00The road to winning the right to vote for women was long, and suffragists faced many setbacks. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4132, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 13: Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments
October 13, 2020 07:00During the middle years of the nineteenth century the struggle for freedom and equality for African Americans was closely linked to the campaign for woman suffrage. Many abolitionists worked for woman suffrage, just as many women worked to end slavery. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4131, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 12: Literacy Tests
October 12, 2020 07:00Literacy tests were designed to disenfranchise African American voters. They did not disappear entirely until 1970. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4130, 60-Second Civics, Episode 4130: October 11, 2020
October 11, 2020 07:00Poll taxes were meant to keep the poor and minorities from voting. The Twenty-Fourth Amendment ended poll taxes in 1964. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4129, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 10: Civil Rights Act of 1866
October 10, 2020 07:00Until discriminatory laws and Supreme Court rulings took effect, millions of African Americans were added to the voting rolls, and some were elected to public office. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4128, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 9: The Fifteenth Amendment
October 09, 2020 07:00In theory, the Fifteenth Amendment granted the right to vote to African American men. But discriminatory laws, physical intimidation, and economic reprisals kept African Americans from exercising that right. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4127, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 8: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
October 08, 2020 07:00Mexican American men faced discrimination and violence in Texas when they tried to exercise their right to vote. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4126, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 7: Dorr Rebellion
October 07, 2020 07:00Rhode Island was the only state after 1840 that did not have universal enfranchisement of white men. So, Thomas Wilson Dorr convened a "People's Convention" to draft a new state constitution that allowed all white men to vote. This led to a brief civil war in the state. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4125, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 6: Voting Reform in the Early 1800s
October 06, 2020 07:00Voting reform took place slowly after 1790, with the property requirement slowly being phased out. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4124, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 5: Property Requirements
October 05, 2020 07:00Suffrage in the original thirteen states expanded greatly after 1790 and many of the original states eliminated property requirements gradually over the nineteenth century, but they often required payment of taxes and had residency requirements. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4123, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 4: Voting and Property
October 04, 2020 07:00Thomas Paine, with his characteristically sharp wit, pointed out some problems with the property requirement for voting. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4122, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 3: Enfranchisement and Disenfranchisement
October 03, 2020 07:00Who was allowed to vote during the early years of the American republic? It depended on where you lived. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4121, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 2: Voting in the Colonies
October 02, 2020 07:00What legacy of Greek and Roman democracy did the colonists inherit? Find out on today's episode. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4120, Voting, Elections, and Representation, Part 1: The Expansion of Suffrage
October 01, 2020 07:00How did the right to vote gradually expand in the United States? Find out on today's podcast. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4119, Prohibition Changed American Society
September 30, 2020 07:00Prohibition was an agent of profound social change. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4118, The Prohibition Era Begins
September 29, 2020 07:00The Eighteenth Amendment launched an era known as Prohibition and the birth of a new industry. Center for Civic Education
60-Second Civics: Episode 4117, The Prohibition Era Begins
September 28, 2020 07:00The Eighteenth Amendment launched an era known as Prohibition and the birth of a new industry. Center for Civic Education