Bill Text: CA SCR123 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Voter Awareness Week.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-07-01 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 78, Statutes of 2014. [SCR123 Detail]

Download: California-2013-SCR123-Chaptered.html

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BILL NUMBER: SCR 123	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  78
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  JULY 1, 2014
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  JUNE 9, 2014
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 26, 2014

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Wyland

                        MAY 21, 2014

   Relative to Voter Awareness Week.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 123, Wyland. Voter Awareness Week.
   This measure would proclaim the week of September 21 through
September 27, 2014, as Voter Awareness Week.



   WHEREAS, an essential part of an effective democracy is the
opportunity for all eligible people to register and to vote; and
   WHEREAS, California's voter turnout among young adults is low
compared to that of other states; it was only 41.6 percent in the
2012 presidential election; and
   WHEREAS, Californians under the age of 25 increased their
registration rates by 8 percent in 2012; and
   WHEREAS, Young adults who are provided with practical information
about voting feel more prepared to participate and become active,
engaged citizens who will benefit California's political climate in
the future; and
   WHEREAS, While most youth voter outreach efforts target college
students, there is a tremendous gap in registration and turnout rates
between young adults with college experience and those without; and
   WHEREAS, Young adults are the best resource available to encourage
other young adults to register and to vote; and
   WHEREAS, Involving young adults in civic education opportunities,
activities, and discussion can increase the likelihood that others in
their households will vote; and
   WHEREAS, People who begin voting at a younger age are more likely
to vote consistently later in life; and
   WHEREAS, As young adults comprise a larger portion of the voting
population than the baby boomers, it is necessary to encourage the
youth of our state to participate in the democratic system in order
to train and prepare the next generation of political and civic
leaders; and
   WHEREAS, California has the opportunity to boost registration
rates among young adults through the use of its online voter
registration application, launched in 2012, which young adults prefer
to the traditional voter registration application; and
   WHEREAS, A primary purpose of California's schools is to prepare
students to become active citizens; and
   WHEREAS, There is an ongoing need to increase youth civic
participation; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the week of
September 21 through 27, 2014, as Voter Awareness Week; and be it
further
   Resolved, That the Legislature encourages all of California's
public schools to participate in Voter Awareness Week activities; and
be it further
   Resolved, that the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.