MOLLIS VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE TARGETS "MILLENNIALS"
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Dec. 4, 2007) -- Students at three Rhode Island schools will get a practical lesson in political science when the Secretary of State’s office visits their campuses as part of a statewide voter registration drive this month.
“Students who register to vote are more likely to become active and informed citizens of this state. Some of these young people will be our leaders of tomorrow. Now is the time to engage them,” said Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis.
Students will be able register at the Community College of Rhode Island's Warwick campus, Wed., Dec. 5, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; at Bryant University Thurs. and Fri., Dec. 6 and 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and at Toll Gate High School in Warwick Thurs., Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
"I hope our visits to these schools produce a new generation of voters and citizens committed to making their voices heard," says Secretary Mollis.
The voter registration drive is part of a push to get younger voters to the polls in 2008. The Secretary of State plans to visit every Rhode Island high school and college leading up to the 2008 elections.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 57 percent of eligible 18-to-24-year-olds were registered to vote on Election Day 2004. Just 47 percent actually voted in that election.
In order to register, students must be age 18 on or before Election Day 2008, residents of Rhode Island and have a valid social security number or Rhode Island driver’s license.
Students who miss the Secretary of State's visit to their schools are still in luck. They can find voter registration forms and answers to frequently asked questions at on the Secretary of State's website.
“My goal is to make it easier for people to vote and to make government more accessible for everyday Rhode Islanders. The more that people are invested in their government, the better it will serve them,” says Secretary Mollis.
December's voter registration drive is in partnership with the state Board of Elections, the town of Smithfield and the Warwick Board of Canvassers.