SCR 123, as introduced, Wyland. Voter Awareness Week.
This measure would proclaim the week of September 21 to 27, 2014, as Voter Awareness Week.
Fiscal committee: no.
P1 1WHEREAS, an essential part of an effective democracy is the
2opportunity for all eligible people to register and to vote; 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 climate 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, Involving young adults in civic education
2opportunities, activities, and discussion can increase the likelihood
3that others in their households will vote; and
4WHEREAS, People who begin voting at a younger age are more
5likely to vote consistently later in life; and
6WHEREAS, As young adults comprise a larger portion of the
7voting population than the baby boomers, it is necessary to
8encourage the youth of our state to participate in the democratic
9system in order to train and prepare the next generation of political
10and civic leaders; and
11WHEREAS, California has the opportunity to boost registration
12rates among young adults through the use of its online voter
13registration application, launched in 2012, which young adults
14prefer to the traditional voter registration application; and
15WHEREAS, A primary purpose of California’s schools is to
16prepare students to become active citizens; and
17WHEREAS, There is an ongoing need to increase youth civic
18participation; now, therefore, be it
19Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
20thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the
21week of September 21-27, 2014 as Voter Awareness Week; and
22be it further
23Resolved, That the Legislature encourages all of California’s
24public schools to participate in Voter Awareness Week activities;
25and be it further
26Resolved, that the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
27resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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