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Secretary of State Mollis Sets Voter Registration Drive at Rogers High School

PROVIDENCE, R.I. –Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis is urging Rogers High School students to register to vote during a drive at school this Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

"People who register to vote are more likely to become engaged and effective citizens of Rhode Island. Some of these youngsters will become our next generation of leaders. Now is the time to reach out to them," said Mollis.

Rick O'Neill of the Newport Board of Canvassers office coordinated the visit in partnership with the state Board of Elections and school administrators.

"I am grateful to our partners for their commitment to this important initiative. Our success will pay dividends for decades to come as these new voters cast ballots election after election," said Mollis.

The visit is part of his "Voters in the Classroom" initiative, which targets students. Mollis plans to stage voter registration drives at Rhode Island high schools and colleges leading up to the 2012 elections.

His emphasis on young people reflects the success of voter registration activities over the past few years. More than 700,000 Rhode Islanders were eligible to vote on Election Day 2010.

"The growth in our state will come from reaching out to newly eligible groups like high school students," said Mollis.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 48.2 percent of eligible 18-to-24-year-old Rhode Islanders were registered to vote on Election Day 2010. Just 39.2 percent actually voted in that election.

Students who miss the Secretary of State's visit are still in luck. Mollis posts voter registration forms and answers to frequently asked questions on his website.

The Secretary of State's office prepares the ballots for all federal, state and municipal elections held in Rhode Island. In addition, the office maintains the state's central voter registration system and distributes handbooks that explain how to run for office, how to register to vote and how to vote.

Secretary of State Mollis is committed to making it easier to vote, helping businesses grow and making government more open and accessible. For more information the programs and services the Secretary of State offers Rhode Islanders, visit sos.ri.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT -- Chris Barnett at 222-4293 or cbarnett@sos.ri.gov.

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Related links

  • Department or agency: Office of the Secretary of State
  • Online: http://www.sos.ri.gov/
  • Release date: 01-06-2012

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