Congressman Dan Goldman Works to Expand Young Voter Pre-Registration
The ‘Pre-Registration of Voters Everywhere Act’ Would Ensure 16- and 17-Year Olds are Able to Pre-Register to Vote Nationwide
Read the Bill Here
Washington D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) joined Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08) in introducing the ‘Pre-Registration of Voters Everywhere (PROVE) Act’ which would enable U.S. citizens aged 16 and 17 to pre-register to vote, ensuring they are automatically added to voter rolls when they turn 18.
“The right to vote is one of our most fundamental rights – it is critical that every barrier to voting as soon as you are eligible is eliminated,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “The effects of voting once are clear: once you have voted, you are more likely to continue voting in the future. The ‘PROVE Act’ will ensure that the next generation of voters can more easily begin to engage in our political system and exercises their voice in elections to come.”
The ‘PROVE Act’ requires each state to implement a process that allows individuals as young as 16 to preregister to vote in federal elections, automatically adding them to voter rolls when they reach voting age. Additionally, it directs the Election Assistance Commission to allocate $25 million in grants over two years for states to distribute to schools and local communities, with the goal of developing curricula that promote civic engagement. These curricula include promoting pre-registration and enhancing civic engagement education in schools.
According to a Yale University study, voting once is indicative of voting again in the future. People who vote in any given election are more likely to vote in future elections than those who did not vote.
Congressman Dan Goldman is committed to expanding access to the ballot box for all Americans.
Earlier this year, Congressman Goldman cosponsored the 'Election Day Holiday Act' to make Election Day a federal holiday. Making Election Day a federal holiday would give more American workers and students the day off of work to vote and encourage private workplaces to make time for employees to exercise their voting rights.
As his first bill in Congress, Goldman introduced the ‘Early Voting Act,’ which would require at least a 14-day window of in-person early voting for federal elections across the country. The ‘Early Voting Act’ was included in Congressman John Sarbanes’ (MD-03) ‘Freedom to Vote Act.’
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