[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 685 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 685

    Designating the last week of September 2008 as ``National Voter 
                           Awareness Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

           September 25 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

Mr. Brown submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Designating the last week of September 2008 as ``National Voter 
                           Awareness Week''.

Whereas the Framers of the Constitution established the United States as a 
        representative democracy, with the fundamental principle of civic 
        engagement on the part of all eligible citizens;
Whereas an essential element of an effective democracy is the ability of each 
        eligible and qualified citizen to be able to vote in fair and open 
        elections;
Whereas Congress has passed important election laws such as the Help America 
        Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 
        (NVRA--Motor Voter Act), and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, dedicated to 
        increasing the transparency of the election process, strengthening our 
        voting systems, and protecting the right of all citizens to vote;
Whereas the 26th amendment of the Constitution requires that ``the right of 
        citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, 
        to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any 
        State on the account of age'';
Whereas Minnesota, Maine, New Hampshire, Idaho, Wisconsin, and Wyoming allow 
        same day registration of voters at the polls, and also experience the 
        highest voter turnout rates in the country;
Whereas most States have 30-day voter registration deadlines, and the public 
        must be informed of their local and State election laws in September in 
        order to participate fully in the Federal elections in November;
Whereas experts estimate that more than 20 percent of voters nationwide will 
        cast their ballots before election day by mail or at early-voting 
        locations, a proportion of the electorate that is rising with each 
        election;
Whereas many election officials note that early voting is convenient for voters, 
        increases turnout, and reduces the strain on polling places and poll 
        workers on election day;
Whereas, according to the Fair Vote Center for Voting and Democracy, voter 
        turnout in the United States is lower than in most other developed 
        nations, with the United States coming 20th out of 21 in voter turnout 
        among established democracies; and
Whereas S. 1901, introduced in the 102nd Congress, would have amended section 
        6103 of title 5, United States Code, to establish Democracy Day as a 
        legal public holiday on election day, in recognition of the need for 
        increased participation of an educated electorate to preserve the 
        legitimacy of democracy: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the last week of September 2008 as 
        ``National Voter Awareness Week'';
            (2) calls upon the people of the United States to observe 
        such a week with appropriate programs and activities, including 
        helping State and local institutions deliver sample ballots, 
        voter registration forms, absentee ballots, and other 
        educational materials to all eligible voters; and
            (3) encourages all grassroots organizations and 
        educational, cultural, and community institutions to promote 
        voter awareness and registration programs that befit local 
        election procedure.
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