[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9518-S9519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 685--DESIGNATING THE LAST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 2008 AS 
                   ``NATIONAL VOTER AWARENESS WEEK''

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

                              S. Res. 685

       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;

[[Page S9519]]

       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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