PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 30, 2008) – Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis registered nearly 300 students during a month-long high school voter registration drive that took him from Hopkinton to Newport.
“Rhode Island needs citizens who are active and informed. The simple act of registering to vote is a signal that some of these students will go on to be leaders of our state in coming years,” said Mollis.
The month-long initiative netted 297 new voters. Chariho Regional High, North Smithfield High and Rogers High in Newport were among the eight schools that Mollis visited. In April, Mollis registered 379 students during stops at East Providence High and Mt. Hope High.
In order to register, students must be age 18 on or before Election Day 2008, U.S. citizens, residents of Rhode Island and have a valid social security number or Rhode Island driver’s license.
The voter registration initiative is a partnership with the state Board of Elections, school administrators and municipal officials. Mollis plans to visit every Rhode Island high school 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.
Students who missed the Secretary of State's visit to their campus are still in luck. They can find voter registration forms and answers to frequently asked questions at http://www.sec.state.ri.us/elections/faq/faqs.html.