SCR 42, as introduced, Huff. Voter Awareness Week.
This measure would proclaim the week of October 18 through October 24, 2015, as Voter Awareness Week.
Fiscal committee: no.
P1 1WHEREAS, The opportunity for all eligible people to register
2and to vote is essential to an effective democracy; and
3WHEREAS, California’s voter turnout among young adults is
4low compared to that of other states; it was only 41.6 percent in
5the 2012 presidential election; and
6WHEREAS, Californians under the age of 25 increased their
7registration rates by 8 percent in 2012; and
8WHEREAS, Young adults who are provided with practical
9information about voting feel more prepared to participate and
10become active, engaged citizens who will benefit California’s
11political growth in the future; and
12WHEREAS, While most youth voter outreach efforts target
13college students, there is a tremendous gap in registration and
14turnout rates between young adults with college experience and
15those without; and
16WHEREAS, Young adults are the best resource available to
17encourage other young adults to register and to vote; and
P2 1WHEREAS, Vote America Now, the sponsor, promotes the
2involvement of young adults in civic education opportunities,
3activities, and discussions that can increase the likelihood that
4others in their households will vote; and
5WHEREAS, Involving young adults in civic education
6opportunities, activities, and discussion can increase the likelihood
7that others in their households will vote; and
8WHEREAS, People who begin voting at a younger age are more
9likely to vote consistently later in life; and
10WHEREAS, As young adults comprise a larger portion of the
11voting population than the baby boomers, it is necessary to
12encourage the youth of our state to participate in the democratic
13system in order to train and prepare the next generation of political
14and civic leaders; and
15WHEREAS, California has the opportunity to boost registration
16rates among young adults through the use of its online voter
17registration application, launched in 2012, which young adults
18prefer to the traditional voter registration application; and
19WHEREAS, A primary purpose of California’s schools is to
20prepare students to become active citizens; and
21WHEREAS, There is an ongoing need to increase youth civic
22participation; now, therefore, be it
23Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
24thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the
25week of October 18 through 24, 2015, as Voter Awareness Week;
26and be it further
27Resolved, That the Legislature encourages all of California’s
28public schools to participate in Voter Awareness Week activities;
29and be it further
30Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
31this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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