Bill Text: NJ SJR15 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates last week in May of each year as High School Voter Registration Week.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-12 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee [SJR15 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-SJR15-Introduced.html
No. 15
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator ROBERT M. GORDON
District 38 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Designates last week in May of each year as High School Voter Registration Week.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
A Joint Resolution designating the last week in May of each year as High School Voter Registration Week in New Jersey.
Whereas, In the 2004 presidential election, fewer than half of all United States citizens between the ages of 18 and 24 exercised their Constitutional right to participate in the electoral process; and
Whereas, Historically, voter participation rates among young adults have been significantly lower than those seen among older individuals; and
Whereas, Research data demonstrate that there is a high probability that an individual will vote if the person is registered; and
Whereas, In a 2004 survey, more than a quarter of young adults who were not registered to vote cited not knowing how to do so or simply missing the registration deadline as the reason for not being registered; and
Whereas, Our schools play an integral role in preparing students to become informed citizens who are engaged and participate in the democratic process; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper that the State designate the last week in May of each year as High School Voter Registration Week in New Jersey and encourage school districts to assist eligible students to register to vote by providing voter registration forms, material describing voter registration eligibility requirements, and instruction on the importance of participating in the electoral process; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The last week in May of each year is designated as High School Voter Registration Week in New Jersey. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation recognizing the last week in May of each year as High School Voter Registration Week in New Jersey and call upon school districts in the State to assist eligible students to register to vote by providing voter registration forms, material describing voter registration eligibility requirements, and instruction on the importance of participating in the electoral process.
2 This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the last week in May of each year as High School Voter Registration Week in order to encourage greater civic participation among the State's young adult population. Data show that voter participation is lower among young adults than older individuals. These lower rates are closely tied to the fact that fewer young adults are registered to vote.
Under this joint resolution, the Governor would issue a proclamation designating the last week in May of each year as High School Voter Registration Week. School districts would be encouraged to assist their eligible students in registering to vote and provide information regarding the electoral process.
