july 31, 2008
Student Voters Lead Efforts behind Federal Legislation Introduced Today
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. House Members Jan Schakowsky
(D-IL) & Steven LaTourette (R-OH) work closely with SAVE to author the bipartisan Student Voter Opportunity to Encourage Registration (VOTER) Act of 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the forefront organization for youth election protection, SAVE applauds the introduction of the Student Voter Opportunity to Encourage Registration (VOTER) Act of 2008—-a federal bill conceived of, developed by, and championed through our student members. Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Congressman Steven LaTourette (R-OH) have joined in a bipartisan effort to sponsor both house and senate versions of this legislation today.
The Student VOTER Act of 2008 exemplifies our organization’s mission by institutionalizing knowledge of voting procedure and registering more young people in a systematic and non-partisan capacity. The Higher Education Act of 1998 requires that U.S. colleges and universities make a “good faith effort” to register students to vote, but many schools have yet to follow through on this promise. Similarly, a report from Harvard University's Institute of Politics recently noted that the nonvoting young are "more likely [than any other group] to cite registration mistakes or a lack of registration knowledge as a reason why they did not vote." The Student VOTER Act applies the principles of the 1993 National Voter Registration Act (or “Motor Voter Act”) to publicly funded colleges and universities, so that young Americans can gain the opportunity to use schools as voter registration agencies and acclimate more confidently and readily into our nation’s political process.
“The very introduction of this bill is a monumental victory for young voters,” said, Matthew Segal, the executive director of SAVE. “While many congressional members pay lip service to the idea of increasing civic engagement, it is refreshing to see Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Schakowsky and Mr. LaTourette act, and call on our education institutions to be more proactive in getting students signed up and aware of the laws in their various states and districts.”
The Student Association for Voter Empowerment (SAVE) is a national non-profit organization, founded and run by students, with a mission to increase youth voter turnout by removing access barriers and promoting stronger civic education. By encouraging civic awareness and political dialogue on over 30 college campuses throughout the country, SAVE's programs are planting a seed of interest that will continue to drive interest in the working of American government, civic participation on all levels, and the proper accountability of elected officials.
Student Voters Lead Efforts behind Federal Legislation Introduced Today
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. House Members Jan Schakowsky
(D-IL) & Steven LaTourette (R-OH) work closely with SAVE to author the bipartisan Student Voter Opportunity to Encourage Registration (VOTER) Act of 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the forefront organization for youth election protection, SAVE applauds the introduction of the Student Voter Opportunity to Encourage Registration (VOTER) Act of 2008—-a federal bill conceived of, developed by, and championed through our student members. Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Congressman Steven LaTourette (R-OH) have joined in a bipartisan effort to sponsor both house and senate versions of this legislation today.
The Student VOTER Act of 2008 exemplifies our organization’s mission by institutionalizing knowledge of voting procedure and registering more young people in a systematic and non-partisan capacity. The Higher Education Act of 1998 requires that U.S. colleges and universities make a “good faith effort” to register students to vote, but many schools have yet to follow through on this promise. Similarly, a report from Harvard University's Institute of Politics recently noted that the nonvoting young are "more likely [than any other group] to cite registration mistakes or a lack of registration knowledge as a reason why they did not vote." The Student VOTER Act applies the principles of the 1993 National Voter Registration Act (or “Motor Voter Act”) to publicly funded colleges and universities, so that young Americans can gain the opportunity to use schools as voter registration agencies and acclimate more confidently and readily into our nation’s political process.
“The very introduction of this bill is a monumental victory for young voters,” said, Matthew Segal, the executive director of SAVE. “While many congressional members pay lip service to the idea of increasing civic engagement, it is refreshing to see Mr. Durbin, Mrs. Schakowsky and Mr. LaTourette act, and call on our education institutions to be more proactive in getting students signed up and aware of the laws in their various states and districts.”
The Student Association for Voter Empowerment (SAVE) is a national non-profit organization, founded and run by students, with a mission to increase youth voter turnout by removing access barriers and promoting stronger civic education. By encouraging civic awareness and political dialogue on over 30 college campuses throughout the country, SAVE's programs are planting a seed of interest that will continue to drive interest in the working of American government, civic participation on all levels, and the proper accountability of elected officials.
