Bill Text: CA ACR90 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Concurrent Resolution 90 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Voter Awareness Week.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 3)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-06-12 - Referred to Com. on RLS. [ACR90 Detail]

Download: California-2017-ACR90-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2017–2018 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Concurrent Resolution

No. 90

Introduced by Assembly Member Harper
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Travis Allen and Cunningham)

May 09, 2017

Relative to Voter Awareness Week.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

ACR 90, as introduced, Harper. Voter Awareness Week.

This measure would proclaim the week of October 16 through October 23, 2017, as Voter Awareness Week.

Fiscal Committee: NO

WHEREAS, The opportunity for all eligible people to register and to vote is essential to an effective democracy; 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 growth 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 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 Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the week of October 16 through 23, 2017, 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 Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.