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TRENTON — The Department of the Public Advocate (DPA) submitted written testimony Monday, March 9 in support of Assembly Bill No. A-2752, which would reaffirm the requirements that high schools, including those in Cape May County, take a more proactive approach in registering students to vote.

According to a release, amendments to the current high school registration law include requiring schools to provide students with a summary of registration requirements. The bill reiterates that schools should select a time to conduct an annual voter registration drive and should educate students about the importance of voting.

“Because 90,000 to 100,000 students turn 18 and graduate every year in New Jersey, a successful high school voter registration program is a highly effective way of increasing youth voter registration,” said Public Advocate Ronald K. Chen.

In February 2007, DPA began researching best practices and compliance with the current high school registration statute, as part of the Department’s Voting Rights Project.

The study found that:

• Approximately 40 to 60 percent of public high schools, and an undetermined number of nonpublic schools, were out of compliance with the statute.

• The most effective way of encouraging students to register to vote is to run a voter registration drive accompanied by at least one class period that discusses the importance of voting.

• Schools should instruct students and distribute registration forms in a classroom setting and not in a mass assembly, because the classroom is a more effective venue for instructing pupils and collecting their voter registration forms.

DPA continues to work with the Department of Education, educators, and advocacy groups in an effort to expand voter registration among youth.

For more information regarding DPA’s voting rights activities, please visit http://www.state.nj.us/publicadvocate/public/issues/protectingvotersrigh...