Student VOTER Act Explodes Across the Net

You know em... ya love em... its the elected officials and supporters of the Student VOTER Act joined together to talk about how important it is to pass!

Thursday's Press Conference was awesome. Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Rep. Tim Ryan, Rep. Meek, and Rep. Schakowsky all joined in support of this bill.

Rep. Schakowsky (pictured right)said that we want more people to vote in our elections not create more barriers. She further said "we have a special responsibility to promote civic education" talking about the very essence of voting and the civic duty we all have to participate in such a crucial part of our democracy. She assured the audience that they would get both parties to pass this bill.

Rep. Meek said the bill "just makes good sense" further agreeing that everyone eligible should be registered to vote.

Ian Storrar from Mobilize.org went further saying that if we have more voices working together we enact better policies.

The event was a great success and the bill is sure to progress. Empirical evidence suggests that voter registration is the greatest hurdle to young voter participation. According to a 2004 study by CIRCLE, 22% of 18-29 year olds who did not vote did so because they missed the registration deadline. An additional 10% of that age group did not know where or how to register to vote. Therefore, a combined 32% of 18-29 year olds who did not participate in the election did so because of uncertainties in the registration process.

The Student VOTER Act will guarantee that students have at least a fighting chance to register and make a difference in every election, not just the elections that maintain youth outreach.

Youth organizations from across the country are working to support this bill including:
Student Association for Voter Empowerment
United States Student Association
People for the American Way
Common Cause
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Mexican-American Legal Defense & Educational Fund (MALDEF)
People For the American Way
U.S. PIRG
Rock the Vote
Mobilize.org
The Roosevelt Institution
Campus Progress Action
Voto Latino
Young Democrats of America
18 in 08’
Students for Barack Obama
College Democrats of America
New Era Colorado
Advocates for Youth
FairVote
Fair Elections Legal Network