Election Ballots Provide Fresh Insights into Cursive Writing Controversy

November 17, 2024 TruthUSA

Concerns may arise in the 26 states that do not mandate cursive instruction, as younger voters who never learned penmanship may not have consistent signatures.

During the 2024 presidential election race, election workers faced challenges and delays in verifying ballots due to discrepancies between signatures on mail-in ballots and those on Department of Motor Vehicle records.

Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar noted on Nov. 5 that individuals without a fixed signature, particularly young voters, caused delays in the verification process. Additionally, older voters who may have varied signatures over their lifetimes or recently married individuals who did not update their last name changes on voter registration records contributed to the issues.

Aguilar mentioned on Election Day that with the implementation of Automatic Voter Registration, more Nevadans are now signing their names on digital screens, which may differ from their traditional pen-to-paper signatures.

The challenges with verifying ballots shed light on the divide surrounding cursive instruction in public schools. While 24 states require cursive teaching, Nevada and New York, which are among the most populated states, do not mandate cursive instruction.

In California, Assembly Bill 446 passed in October of the previous year, making handwriting instruction mandatory in grades 1-6. Similarly, Kentucky passed a law in April, although it won’t take effect until the 2025-2026 academic year.

MyCursive released a report titled “Can Cursive Swing an Election (2028, We’re Looking at You)?” which highlighted the challenges faced by Gen Z voters who may not be familiar with cursive. As a result, mismatches in signatures might occur, potentially invalidating votes in close elections.

Cursive instruction has declined with the rise of digital technology. While the need for official signatures persists in voting, banking, and legal matters, cursive instruction also plays a vital role in historical preservation, fine motor skills development, and hand-eye coordination.

However, opinions on the necessity of cursive education vary, with some arguing that electronic alternatives have made cursive less relevant. Experts like Morgan Polikoff stress the importance of teaching cursive to young students, even if it means focusing on reading cursive and establishing a signature rather than extensive writing practice.

Greta Nagel, the founder of the Museum of Teaching and Learning, believes cursive holds familial value and should not disappear from classrooms entirely. She emphasizes the significance of maintaining handwritten communication for future generations.

Individuals like Gianna Miceli and Casey Felton share their experiences with cursive education, highlighting the need for at least basic cursive instruction in schools to ensure future generations can interpret historical documents and maintain essential communication skills.

Source link