[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 16, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN SUPPORT OF THE PRE-REGISTRATION OF VOTERS EVERYWHERE (PROVE) ACT--TO 
                  EXPAND ACCESS TO VOTER REGISTRATION

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                       HON. DONALD S. BEYER, JR.

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 16, 2015

  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, September is National Voter Registration 
Month, and in honor of this occasion I am introducing legislation to 
allow young Americans to preregister to vote in federal elections.
  Nothing is more important to representative government than choosing 
our leaders through free and fair election. But right now too many 
young people are not participating in the electoral process.
  In the 2014 election cycle only 39 percent of 18-24 year-olds were 
registered to vote. And of those, only 16 percent actually cast a 
ballot on Election Day.
  That is why today I am introducing the Pre-Registration of Voters 
Everywhere Act, or the PROVE Act, to allow young Americans to 
preregister to vote in federal elections and increase access to voter 
registration. Once these future voters are registered and in the 
system, they can be automatically added to the voting roles so they can 
vote once they turn 18.
  Already in 20 states and the District of Columbia young people are 
able to preregister to vote prior to the age of 18. In those states 
young people are more engaged and more likely to vote.
  Mr. Speaker, voting is habit forming; when people vote, they are 
likely to vote again. The PROVE Act is an effective way to engage young 
people early on and encourage lasting participation in elections.

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