RESOLUTION 24

A RESOLUTION TO BE ENTITLED

An act to Support the Concept of Same-Day Registration and Voting in North Carolina in Advance of the Elections

Short Title: Same-Day Voter Registration Act (Public)

Sponsored by: Senators FABRICIUS

First Reading: August 24, 2005 Version Date: November 2, 2005

Referred to: Public Affairs Commitee.

WHEREAS, current North Carolina law requires that citizens register to vote twenty-five (25) days prior to an election; and,

WHEREAS, this registration deadline, which is as early as mid-September for Raleigh municipal elections, is often missed by students still settling into their new community; and,

WHEREAS, the North Carolina General Assembly has considered, in House Bill 851, allowing citizens to register and vote immediately at one-stop polling places, provided they pass a stringent identity verification; and,

WHEREAS, House Bill 851 provides just one example of a way to shorten the turnaround time between registration and voting; and,

WHEREAS, implementation of a same-day voter registration system would give students greater access to registration and voting, and promote more civic responsibility and participation; and,

WHEREAS, improving participation in the electoral process is the single most important step in strengthening the students’ political position; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the North Carolina State University Student Senate supports the concept of rapid, if not same-day, voter registration and voting, at one-stop polling sites, prior to the election days, provided stringent requirements for proving identity and residence are mandated.