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A Teacher's
Guide to Talking About:
The Importance of Fair and Honest Campaign Conduct in Public Life
Sponsored by
Margaret Chase Smith
Library
Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy, University of Maine
Institute for Global
Ethics
In order to promote fair play in political
campaigns, the Margaret
Chase Smith Library and Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy
cosponsor the Maine Code of Election
Ethics. Candidates for Governor, United States Representative, and
United States Senator are invited to sign the code. Those who sign agree to
avoid push polling; support campaign claims with documentation; take
personal responsibility for campaign advertising; renounce the use of
deceptions, half truths and falsehoods; refrain from engaging in personal
attacks, innuendo, or stereotyping; and at all times, show compassion for
opponents.
The purpose of the Maine Code of Election
Ethics is to encourage substantive issue-oriented campaigns that will
educate the voter and improve the quality of public dialogue. As the
campaigning heats up this fall, students need to be aware of the issues and
the importance of the ethical character of our civil servants. There is
opportunity in these discussions to identify five core values fundamental to
our society: honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness and compassion.
 Why
is this important to your students? By the time most students enter their
senior year, they are eligible to vote. Involving them in the process and
facilitating discussion about upcoming elections heightens their awareness,
increases their involvement, and ultimately inspires their participation in
the democratic process.
INCLUDED:
- Maine Code of Election Ethics video (for a
copy of the video, please call 207.581.1648 or email mcsc@umit.maine.edu
)
- 3 Lesson Plans
- Study Circle Guidelines & Facilitation
Training Outline
- Parent and Community Involvement Guide
- Resources & Credits " Maine Code
of Election Ethics
- Biographical Information about Senator
Smith " Senator Smith's Declaration of Conscience
- Senator Smith's Creed
Teacher's Guide to Talking
About: The Importance of Fair and Honest Campaign Conduct in Public Life
view
the full text of the lesson plans
on-line
To download
the full text, click here (1.66 MB). (Acrobat Reader, .pdf
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For more information concerning A
Teacher's Guide to Talking About: The Importance of Fair and Honest
Campaign Conduct in Public Life, please contact Kathryn Hunt at khunt@maine.maine.edu
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