SLS 19RS-47 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 11
BY SENATOR BISHOP
CIVIC EDUCATION. Requests the secretary of state and the state Department of Education
to work together to develop age-appropriate, nonpartisan voter education materials to be
used by all students in grades 3-12.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To urge and request the secretary of state and the state Department of Education to work
3 together to develop age-appropriate, nonpartisan voter education materials to be used
4 by all students in grades three through twelve.
5 WHEREAS, in order for America's government to be a representative democracy
6 which is of the people, by the people, and for the people, individuals must be enabled to take
7 advantage of their right to vote; and
8 WHEREAS, participation in the democratic process of voting provides citizens with
9 a feeling of empowerment; and
10 WHEREAS, an educated and motivated voter is predicated on a citizen being well-
11 informed about his right to vote, how to register to vote, and how to vote in elections; and
12 WHEREAS, it is the "policy of the state of Louisiana to encourage full participation
13 in voting by all citizens of the state"; and
14 WHEREAS, the secretary of state is to "develop activities, events, informational
15 posters and pamphlets, and public service announcements for the implementation of an
16 annual voter registration week..."; and
17 WHEREAS, the constitutional goal of Louisiana's educational system is to "provide
18 learning environments and experiences… in order that every individual may be afforded an
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SLS 19RS-47 ORIGINAL
1 equal opportunity to develop to his full potential"; and
2 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature has enacted several laws to ensure that
3 students are required to take courses of study that provide instruction on the foundations of
4 our democratic society; and
5 WHEREAS, studies have repeatedly shown that early and repeated exposure to such
6 ideas and concepts has a positive impact on civic and social engagement; and
7 WHEREAS, to ensure an educated and engaged citizenry in the democratic processes
8 so critical to the functioning of our state and nation, it is crucial that individuals are prepared
9 to participate in the voting process on an ongoing basis from an early age.
10 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
11 does hereby urge and request the secretary of state and the state Department of Education
12 to work together to develop age-appropriate, nonpartisan voter education materials to be
13 used by all students in grades three through twelve.
14 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
15 secretary of state, the president of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and
16 the state superintendent of education.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Cheryl Serrett.
DIGEST
SR 11 Original 2019 Regular Session Bishop
Requests the secretary of state and the state Department of Education to work together to
develop age-appropriate, nonpartisan voter education materials to be used by all students in
grades three through twelve.
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