HOUSE BILL REPORT

EHB 1109

BYRepresentatives O'Brien, McLean, Anderson, Wineberry, Betrozoff, G. Fisher, R. Fisher, Sayan, Wang, Pruitt, Baugher, Winsley, P. King, Kremen, H. Meyers, Brumsickle, Rasmussen, Van Luven and Tate

Dealing with voter registration for high school students.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (16)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Holland, Horn, Jones, Phillips, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Susan Patrick (786-7111)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 7, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Although eighteen year olds have been given the right to vote, only a small percentage of these young people register to vote and even a smaller percentage actually exercise this right.  Currently may schools have a staff member who is authorized to register students to vote.

SUMMARY:

The superintendent of public instruction shall develop a voter registration and education program for high school students and shall provide information on this program to all high schools in the state.  The secretary of state and the Washington Association of County Auditors shall assist in the development of this program.  The program shall include a pamphlet containing a voter registration card and directions on how to register to vote along with information explaining that county auditors may provide demonstrations of voting equipment and other programs on request.

The secretary of state, in cooperation with the Washington Association of County Auditors, shall design and provide a standard notice informing students of the availability of voter registration.  This notice shall be posted in each high school.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Alex McLean.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    It is important that we get our young people interested in voting.  The development of a voter registration program for high school students in my community proved to be an effective method of interesting students in voting in elections.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.