[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1673]]
  INTRODUCING THE STUDENT VOTER OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE REGISTRATION 
                      (STUDENT VOTER) ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2008

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Student 
Voter Opportunity To Encourage Registration Act of 2008, along with my 
colleague Representative Steven LaTourette. The foundation of America's 
democracy lies in broad participation and civic engagement. From the 
Civil Rights Amendments, to women's suffrage, to the abolition of the 
poll tax and finally the ratification of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, 
this nation has embarked on a difficult but steady march toward 
becoming a more inclusive nation.
  I believe that the Student VOTER Act is a continuation of that 
progress, because it provides a pathway to participation for America's 
youth.
  The need for this bipartisan bill is clear. Despite a small rise in 
youth voting in the 2004 presidential election, young voters are far 
less likely to vote than older voters. In the 2004 presidential 
election, only 47 percent of 18-24 year old citizens voted, compared to 
66 percent of citizens 25 and older. This marked the eighth straight 
presidential contest in which less than half of young Americans voted.
  While there are a number of factors that contribute to this trend, 
one is clearly the fact many college students are first-time voters and 
often are unfamiliar with how to register. In some states, including my 
own state of Illinois, first-time voters must register in person in 
order to cast an absentee ballot. For students who attend college 
outside of their home state or who do not have access to 
transportation, those requirements present a tremendous burden that is 
costly and difficult to overcome.
  The Student VOTER Act offers a straightforward solution: it requires 
colleges and universities that receive federal funds to register 
students. The Student VOTER Act does this by amending the National 
Voter Registration Act of 1993 to designate colleges and universities 
that receive federal funds as voter registration agencies.
  This legislation will not present a substantial burden to our 
Nation's universities. In fact, many are already providing this service 
for students. For example, even before orientation begins, Brown 
University in Rhode Island provides its students with voter 
registration materials not only for Rhode Island, but also for each 
student's home state.
  Unfortunately, too many colleges and universities have failed to 
follow Brown's lead. I am introducing this legislation today to spur 
more universities to make registration widely available to America's 
youngest voters.
  I would also like to thank my friend Matthew Segal, the Executive 
Director of the Student Association for Voter Empowerment. This bill 
would not exist today were it not for his dedication to enhancing voter 
access for America's youth.
  I urge all of my colleagues to cosponsor this important legislation.

                          ____________________