BILL NUMBER: SCR 42	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Huff

                        APRIL 14, 2015

   Relative to Voter Awareness Week.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   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.



   WHEREAS, The opportunity for all eligible people to register and
to vote is essential to an effective democracy; and
   WHEREAS, California's voter turnout among young adults is low
compared to that of other states; it was only 41.6 percent in the
2012 presidential election; and
   WHEREAS, Californians under the age of 25 increased their
registration rates by 8 percent in 2012; and
   WHEREAS, Young adults who are provided with practical information
about voting feel more prepared to participate and become active,
engaged citizens who will benefit California's political growth in
the future; and
   WHEREAS, While most youth voter outreach efforts target college
students, there is a tremendous gap in registration and turnout rates
between young adults with college experience and those without; and
   WHEREAS, Young adults are the best resource available to encourage
other young adults to register and to vote; and
   WHEREAS, Vote America Now, the sponsor, promotes the involvement
of young adults in civic education opportunities, activities, and
discussions that can increase the likelihood that others in their
households will vote; and
   WHEREAS, Involving young adults in civic education opportunities,
activities, and discussion can increase the likelihood that others in
their households will vote; and
   WHEREAS, People who begin voting at a younger age are more likely
to vote consistently later in life; and
   WHEREAS, As young adults comprise a larger portion of the voting
population than the baby boomers, it is necessary to encourage the
youth of our state to participate in the democratic system in order
to train and prepare the next generation of political and civic
leaders; and
   WHEREAS, California has the opportunity to boost registration
rates among young adults through the use of its online voter
registration application, launched in 2012, which young adults prefer
to the traditional voter registration application; and
   WHEREAS, A primary purpose of California's schools is to prepare
students to become active citizens; and
   WHEREAS, There is an ongoing need to increase youth civic
participation; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the week of
October 18 through 24, 2015, as Voter Awareness Week; and be it
further
   Resolved, That the Legislature encourages all of California's
public schools to participate in Voter Awareness Week activities; and
be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.