In the 26 states that do not mandate cursive instruction, concerns arise about the lack of consistent signatures from younger voters who were never taught penmanship. This issue came to light during the 2024 presidential election when election workers faced challenges verifying ballots due to discrepancies between signatures on mail-in ballots and Department of Motor Vehicle records. In Nevada, Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar attributed delays in the verification process to young people without a consistent signature, as well as older voters with varying signatures over time and those who had recently changed their last names without updating their voter registration.
The issue of cursive instruction has divided the country, with 24 states requiring it in public schools. Nevada and New York are not among them, while California, Texas, and Florida have made cursive instruction mandatory. The importance of cursive instruction was highlighted in a report by MyCursive, which raised concerns that Gen Z voters, many of whom do not know cursive, may face difficulties in signing their names on ballots, potentially leading to mismatches and invalidated votes.
Despite the shift towards digital technology, proponents of cursive instruction argue that it is essential for official signatures, historical preservation, and developing fine motor skills. However, opponents argue that most writing tasks are now electronic, and the time spent on cursive instruction could be better utilized for other subjects. The debate over cursive instruction has led to varying mandates across school districts and states.
Ultimately, the decision on whether to prioritize cursive instruction in schools remains a topic of debate, with some arguing for its preservation as a valuable skill and tradition, while others question its relevance in the digital age.
All of her elementary and high school assignments were completed on a laptop. The education major, who aspires to become a teacher, emphasized the importance of learning how to sign one’s name and understanding cursive writing.
Casey Felton, a senior in high school, shared her experience of limited cursive instruction in third grade in Ballston Spa, New York. Only three letters – S, M, and N – were taught. Despite this, she managed to print her name for her driver’s license and complete waiver forms for youth rodeo competitions.
Felton took it upon herself to learn cursive after struggling to read a birthday card from her great-grandmother. She is confident that with practice, she can develop a signature. Nevertheless, she believes that cursive education should encompass the entire alphabet and include writing practice in elementary school.
“In 100 years,” she remarked, “we will still need to be able to read the Constitution.”
