Sen. Seay Encourages High School Seniors to Register to Vote in April

ATLANTA (March 24, 2009) — Sen. Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale) is encouraging eligible high school seniors to register to vote at their school during the month of April. Thanks to legislation that she sponsored in the Senate in 2001, public schools now offer students who are at least 18 years old the opportunity to register to vote at their school.

“For every young American, registering to vote marks the pivotal moment when their voice contributes to the achievements of our nation,” said Seay. “I hope the convenience of registering to vote at school will encourage Georgia students to take just five minutes out of their day and exercise their role in democracy.”

Throughout her political career, Sen. Seay has been an advocate for the youth vote. A champion for education issues in the state, she has kept her focus on the success of the individual student and their transition into adulthood. She believes that voting is one of the key responsibilities of an adult, and hopes that Georgia’s young voters will make their voices heard in the next election.

The youth vote proved to be a significant factor in the outcome of the 2008 election, representing a record turnout over previous years. An estimated 22 to 24 million young people voted in the 2008 election, an increase of at least 2.2 million in the 2004 election.

The Secretary of State’s Office is launching a campaign to remind schools of the registration program by contacting all school principals.

For more information on the Georgia State Senate or to view HB 372, please visit www.senate.ga.gov.

Sen. Valencia Seay represents the 34th Senate District, which includes parts of Clayton and Fayette Counties. She can be reached at her office at 404.656.5095 or by email at valencia.seay@senate.ga.gov.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 24, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Kallarin Richards, Senior Communications Specialist
kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028