The Student Voter Act was reintroduced in the House today – the same day as the official start of SAPP, we’ll take this as a good sign.
Here’s SAVE’s press release:
Reps. Jan Schakowsky, D-IL, and Steven LaTourette, R-OH, along with the Student Association for Voter Empowerment and distinguished guests will hold a press conference to discuss the impact this legislation will have to expand the right to vote to more Americans…
Barriers in the voter registration process are the most commonly cited reason that young people (18-29 years old) do not participate in elections. According to a study by CIRCLE, a combined 32% of 18-29 year olds did not vote because of uncertainties, confusion, or difficulties in registering. Similarly, a report from Harvard University’s Institute of Politics noted that nonvoting youth are “more likely [than any other group] to cite registration mistakes or a lack of registration knowledge as a reason why they did not vote.”
In response to the current problems with voter registration, The legislation will require all colleges and universities that receive federal funds to provide their students with an opportunity to register to vote as they enroll in classes. The Student VOTER Act builds off the successful model of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, and like Department of Motor Vehicles, will designate colleges as “voter registration agencies.
Here’s what the bill does:
Student Voter Opportunity To Encourage Registration Act of 2008 or the Student VOTER Act of 2008 – Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require states to designate federally-funded institutions of higher education as agencies for the registration of voters in federal elections. Requires such schools to provide mail voter registration application forms to students registering to enroll in their courses.
Do you have any ideas about how to increase voter registration on college campuses? – Make a comment, let me know!
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