SENATE MEMORIAL 40

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Jacob R. Candelaria and Daniel A. Ivey-Soto

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO DECLARE FEBRUARY 19, 2018 AS "STUDENT ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION DAY" IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, the secretary of state, who serves as the state's chief elections official, is committed to strengthening democracy by encouraging voter registration and increasing participation in all elections by all eligible New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, young people play a critical role in furthering democracy by helping to choose candidates who will lead and by voicing their opinions on issues that are important to them; and

     WHEREAS, seventeen-year-olds can now register to vote as long as they will be eighteen years old by the time of the next election; and

     WHEREAS, high schools are encouraged to offer voter registration to eligible students by providing either paper registration applications or a link on the high school website to the state's online voter registration; and

     WHEREAS, notices to school districts predominately known for or identified as having Spanish-speaking schools should be in both English and Spanish; and

     WHEREAS, high school administrators are encouraged to name one or more students as voter outreach coordinators to encourage student voter registration; and

     WHEREAS, students are encouraged to participate in the democratic process through civics and voter education programs by volunteering as poll workers and encouraging their peers, family members and community members to register to vote and participate in elections;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the governor be requested to declare February 19, 2018 "Student Online Voter Registration Day" in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of public education and the secretary of state.

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