In Support of the Pre-Registration of Voters Everywhere (Prove) Act--to Expand Access to Voter Registration

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, September is National Voter Registration Month, and in honor of this occasion I am introducing legislation to allow young Americans to preregister to vote in federal elections.

Nothing is more important to representative government than choosing our leaders through free and fair election. But right now too many young people are not participating in the electoral process.

In the 2014 election cycle only 39 percent of 18-24 year-olds were registered to vote. And of those, only 16 percent actually cast a ballot on Election Day.

That is why today I am introducing the Pre-Registration of Voters Everywhere Act, or the PROVE Act, to allow young Americans to preregister to vote in federal elections and increase access to voter registration. Once these future voters are registered and in the system, they can be automatically added to the voting roles so they can vote once they turn 18.

Already in 20 states and the District of Columbia young people are able to preregister to vote prior to the age of 18. In those states young people are more engaged and more likely to vote.

Mr. Speaker, voting is habit forming; when people vote, they are likely to vote again. The PROVE Act is an effective way to engage young people early on and encourage lasting participation in elections.

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