The Social Problem(s) Addressed in the Policy
Review the Policy Selection Process document in the Learning Resources this week. This document outlines the search for and selection of the Election Integrity Act of 2021—you will need to follow a similar process for your own region or state to complete your Assignment next week.
• Identify the social problem(s) addressed in the policy.
• Select an excerpt from the policy that you would change—this could be a small change, like an addition, or a large change, like a complete revision or removal—to better alleviate the social problem.
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Submit a 2- to 3-page paper that addresses the following:
Describe the social problem(s) addressed in the policy. (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENT)
o Which areas in the policy indicated the social problem(s) to you?
o Why, as a social worker, should you be concerned with the problem(s)?
o Are there other problem(s) not directly identified that might be impacted, positively or adversely, by the policy?
• Which population(s) is/are impacted by the problem?
o What is the relationship between the social problem(s) and the population(s)? In other words, why are some people impacted by the problem(s) when others are not?
o How is/are the population(s) taken into consideration in the policy?
• Summarize the excerpt from the policy that you identified as needing change.
o What are the strengths of this excerpt in helping to alleviate the social problem? If you do not see any strengths, that is okay—explain why.
o What are the limitations of this excerpt in helping to alleviate the social problem(s) for the population(s)?
o What specific changes would you make to the excerpt to alleviate the social problem(s) for the population(s)? You can describe the changes or quote direct policy language you would change.
The Social Problem(s) Addressed in the Policy
The Policy Selection Process document outlines the search for and selection of the Election Integrity Act of 2021. To better understand the social problem(s) addressed in this policy, we need to examine the document and identify the areas that indicate these problems.
Areas in the Policy Indicating Social Problems
In the introduction of the document, it is mentioned that the Election Integrity Act of 2021 was enacted to address concerns about the integrity of elections, including issues of voter fraud, ballot security, and election administration.
The policy also highlights the need to increase public confidence in the electoral process and ensure that every eligible citizen has access to voting.
Concerns for Social Workers
As a social worker, it is crucial to be concerned with the social problem(s) addressed in this policy for several reasons:
Democratic Values: The integrity of elections is fundamental to upholding democratic values. Social workers, as advocates for social justice and equality, should be concerned with ensuring fair and free elections that represent the will of the people.
Voter Access: Any restrictions or limitations placed on voting can disproportionately affect marginalized communities, such as racial and ethnic minorities, low-income individuals, and individuals with disabilities. Social workers should be concerned with ensuring equal access to voting for all citizens.
Impact on Communities: Election integrity issues can have far-reaching consequences for communities. When elections are compromised, it can undermine trust in the democratic process and lead to a lack of confidence in government institutions. Social workers work closely with communities, and it is important to address the social problems that can arise from compromised elections.
Other Impacted Problem(s)
While the policy directly addresses concerns about voter fraud, ballot security, and election administration, there are other problem(s) that might be impacted by the policy, positively or adversely. These include:
Disenfranchisement: Depending on the specific provisions of the policy, certain populations may face barriers to exercising their right to vote, leading to disenfranchisement and a lack of representation.
Political Participation: If the policy creates additional hurdles for individuals to participate in the electoral process, it may discourage political engagement and limit the diversity of voices in decision-making.
Population(s) Impacted by the Problem
The population(s) impacted by the social problem(s) addressed in this policy includes:
Marginalized Communities: Racial and ethnic minorities, low-income individuals, individuals with disabilities, and other marginalized groups often face greater barriers to voting due to systemic inequalities.
Young Voters: Policies that impose stricter identification requirements or limit early voting options can disproportionately impact young voters who may face challenges in obtaining necessary identification or have limited flexibility in their schedules.
Relationship Between Social Problem(s) and Population(s)
The relationship between the social problem(s) addressed in the policy and the population(s) is complex. Marginalized communities and young voters are more likely to face barriers to voting due to factors such as limited resources, lack of information or education about voting processes, and historical disenfranchisement.
Consideration of Population(s) in the Policy
The policy acknowledges the importance of ensuring every eligible citizen has access to voting. However, it is essential to critically examine whether the specific provisions of the policy effectively consider and address the needs of marginalized communities and young voters.
Excerpt from the Policy Needing Change
One excerpt from the policy that needs change is a provision that requires strict voter identification requirements without considering alternative methods for verifying voter identity or providing reasonable accommodations for individuals who may have difficulty obtaining identification.
Strengths of the Excerpt
The strength of this excerpt lies in its intention to address concerns about voter fraud and ensure election integrity. Strict voter identification requirements can help prevent impersonation and maintain public confidence in the electoral process.
Limitations of the Excerpt
However, this excerpt has limitations in helping to alleviate social problems for the population(s). These include:
Disproportionate Impact: Strict voter identification requirements can disproportionately impact marginalized communities and young voters who may face challenges in obtaining necessary identification documents.
Accessibility: Some individuals may face difficulties accessing identification due to financial constraints, limited transportation options, or administrative barriers. This can create additional barriers to voting for already marginalized populations.
Specific Changes for Alleviating Social Problem(s)
To alleviate the social problems for the population(s), specific changes to the excerpt could include:
Implementing alternative methods for verifying voter identity: The policy should consider allowing other forms of identification or verification methods that are accessible to all eligible voters, such as utility bills or sworn affidavits.
Providing reasonable accommodations: The policy should include provisions that ensure individuals who face difficulties obtaining identification due to financial or logistical constraints are provided with reasonable accommodations so they can exercise their right to vote.
By making these changes, the policy would better address concerns about voter fraud while also ensuring equal access to voting for all eligible citizens, regardless of their socioeconomic status or other barriers they may face.