WHEREAS:

The percentage of Americans who vote is the lowest among the Western democratic nations; and

WHEREAS:

In other democratic nations, voting is considered a right of every citizen, while in the United States it is considered a privilege that must be earned by following cumbersome regulations and procedures set by individual states and localities; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME feels it should be the right of every citizen to cast his/her ballot on election day; and

WHEREAS:

The "National Voter Registration Act" is being considered by the United States Congress; and

WHEREAS:

If this bill becomes law, it will allow for the following: voter registration by mail; "motor voter" — automatic voter registration when applying for a driver's license or ID card; and agency-based voter registration; and

WHEREAS:

The law will also outlaw the purging of voters' names from the rolls for nonvoting.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the 29th International Convention endorse the passage of this and any other national legislation that will allow easier voter registration in the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That the International Union encourage members across the country to contact their congressional leaders and strongly urge them to support the "National Voter Registration Act" which would make voting the right of every citizen.

SUBMITTED BY:

Juana Ramirez, President
Rose Araujo-Murray, Recording Secretary
AFSCME Local 2399
San Antonio, TX