III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 685 

Designating the last week of September 2008 as ‘‘National Voter Awareness 

Week’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 25 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 17), 2008 

Mr. BROWN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Designating the last week of September 2008 as ‘‘National 

Voter Awareness Week’’. 

Whereas the Framers of the Constitution established the 

United States as a representative democracy, with the 

fundamental principle of civic engagement on the part of 

all eligible citizens; 

Whereas an essential element of an effective democracy is the 

ability of each eligible and qualified citizen to be able to 

vote in fair and open elections; 

Whereas Congress has passed important election laws such as 

the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA—Motor 

Voter Act), and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, dedicated 

to increasing the transparency of the election process, 


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•SRES 685 IS 

strengthening our voting systems, and protecting the 

right of all citizens to vote; 

Whereas the 26th amendment of the Constitution requires 

that ‘‘the right of citizens of the United States, who are 

eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied 

or abridged by the United States or by any State on the 

account of age’’; 

Whereas Minnesota, Maine, New Hampshire, Idaho, Wisconsin, and Wyoming allow same day registration of voters at the polls, and also experience the highest voter 

turnout rates in the country; 

Whereas most States have 30-day voter registration deadlines, and the public must be informed of their local and 

State election laws in September in order to participate 

fully in the Federal elections in November; 

Whereas experts estimate that more than 20 percent of voters nationwide will cast their ballots before election day 

by mail or at early-voting locations, a proportion of the 

electorate that is rising with each election; 

Whereas many election officials note that early voting is convenient for voters, increases turnout, and reduces the 

strain on polling places and poll workers on election day; 

Whereas, according to the Fair Vote Center for Voting and 

Democracy, voter turnout in the United States is lower 

than in most other developed nations, with the United 

States coming 20th out of 21 in voter turnout among established democracies; and 

Whereas S. 1901, introduced in the 102nd Congress, would 

have amended section 6103 of title 5, United States 

Code, to establish Democracy Day as a legal public holiday on election day, in recognition of the need for inVerDate Aug 31 2005 04:47 Sep 26, 2008 Jkt 069200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR685.IS SR685

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•SRES 685 IS 

creased participation of an educated electorate to preserve the legitimacy of democracy: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates the last week of September 2008 

3 as ‘‘National Voter Awareness Week’’; 

4 (2) calls upon the people of the United States 

5 to observe such a week with appropriate programs 

6 and activities, including helping State and local in7 stitutions deliver sample ballots, voter registration 

8 forms, absentee ballots, and other educational mate9 rials to all eligible voters; and 

10 (3) encourages all grassroots organizations and 

11 educational, cultural, and community institutions to 

12 promote voter awareness and registration programs 

13 that befit local election procedure. 

Æ 


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