Skip to main content
 
Image
profile photo

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Senator Cory Booker Introduce The Help Students Vote Act To Increase Student Engagement In Our Democracy

April 18, 2018

New legislation would ensure that higher education institutions better support student voting

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Senator Cory Booker today introduced the Help Students Vote Act, a new bill to ensure that higher education institutions support student voter registration and civic participation. This legislation aims to reverse the historic trend of low voter registration among young Americans, an unfortunate reality that exists because college students face unique barriers in acquiring voter registration information.

The Help Students Vote Act codifies the standard that colleges and universities make a "good-faith effort" to distribute voter registration materials, language that exists under the current Higher Education Act. Under the new legislation, institutions of higher education would be required to send nonpartisan voter registration information to all students at least twice each year, and at least 30 days before state and federal registration deadlines. In addition, the bill would require colleges and universities to designate a "campus vote coordinator" to address students' questions around voting while authorizing grant funding to institutions that exceed the bill's requirements in promoting electoral engagement and civic participation.

"When students begin college each year, often having never voted or even registered, they frequently lack the institutional support and resources to navigate the voting process," said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. "We need to do everything we can to ensure that all Americans have access to the ballot box and this legislation will help engage hundreds of thousands more young Americans in our democracy. I'm proud to join Senator Booker in introducing our bill to bring new energy to our public institutions, strengthen our communities, and enrich our public discourse by helping students vote."

"Some of the greatest movements in history have been driven by young people," Senator Cory Booker said. "From the Freedom Riders of the 1960s to the Vietnam War protesters of the 1970s to the most recent student activism sweeping the country around gun violence – our nation's young people have continuously pushed our country to a better, more just, and more progressive future. Unfortunately, young people today face more barriers than they should when trying to make their voices heard at the ballot box. Our bill helps alleviate some of the confusion and anxiety college students have about voting by adding much-needed federal guidance on how colleges and universities can ensure their students have the resources they need to register to vote and vote."

"What state you live in and what college you attend shouldn't determine the civic education you receive and whether your campus ensures you have the information you need to register and vote," said Clarissa Unger, Director of Civic Engagement for Young Invincibles, a leading partner in the Students Learn Students Vote (SLSV) coalition. "By making voting and democratic participation a core value on campus, colleges and universities can help students become active citizens long into the future. The Help Students Vote Act will ensure that students nationwide get the information they need to register to vote and become involved in our democratic process, many for the first time ever."