Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Memorializes Congress and President to extend daylight saving time until after general election.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution memorializing the Congress and President of the United States to extend daylight saving time until after the day of the general election.
Whereas, It is the duty of government in a democratic society to implement policies which facilitate participation in the electoral process by the greatest possible number of voters; and
Whereas, The general election in New Jersey and elsewhere is held annually on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November; and
Whereas, Pursuant to federal law, daylight saving time currently ends on the first Sunday of November in each year; and
Whereas, This practice means that darkness will fall one hour earlier on election day than it had on most days in the preceding eight months; and
Whereas, Extending daylight saving time through election day would have the beneficial effect of providing voters with an additional hour of daylight in the evening during which to go to the polls; and
Whereas, This additional hour of daylight would reassure voters who may be concerned about safety or are otherwise reluctant to leave their homes after dark; and
Whereas, This change would likely increase the number of voters who cast ballots on election day; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Congress and President of the United States are respectfully memorialized to amend the federal “Uniform Time Act of 1966,” 15 U.S.C. s.260 et seq., to provide for the extension of daylight saving time until after the day of the general election.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the Unites States Senate, and every member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges Congress and the President to amend federal law to extend daylight saving time until after the day of the general election. This change would provide voters with an additional hour of daylight in the evening during which to go to the polls and would likely result in increased voter turnout on election day.