AJR199

A Joint Resolution designating the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November annually as Bring Your Adult Child to Vote Day in New Jersey.

Whereas, The United States is facing a crisis of lack of political participation by the young people living in this country and New Jersey is not immune to the effects of this crisis; and

Whereas, Only 54 percent of persons aged 18 to 29 voted in New Jersey in the 2024 presidential election; and

Whereas, This represents a significant decrease from the 67 percent of persons aged 18 to 29 who voted in New Jersey in the 2020 presidential election; and

Whereas, Out of all 50 states, New Jersey experienced the most significant drop in young voter participation from 2020 to 2024; and

Whereas, Of persons aged 18 to 29 surveyed about their top reason for not being registered to vote in 2024, only 9 percent said they were ineligible while 91 percent said they forgot, didn't have time or were too busy, missed the registration deadline, had trouble with their voter registration application, did not know how to register to vote, or that voting is not important to them; and

Whereas, Better parental role-modeling, mentoring, and encouragement can increase voter turnout for young adults; and

Whereas, In New Jersey, all middle school students are required to take a course of study in civics which addresses the values and principles underlying the American system of constitutional democracy, the function and limitations of government, and the role of a citizen in a democratic society; and

Whereas, While a civics course can be beneficial in teaching students about why their vote matters, it is just as important for the parents of young adults to show their children firsthand why voting is important and how easy it can be to have a person’s voice heard at the voting booth; and

Whereas, Parents can plan a day for themselves and their adult children to vote together if they attend the same polling place, or can even offer to babysit grandchildren so their young adult children can take the time to vote; and

Whereas, If parents are unable to plan a day to vote with their adult children, parents can also begin a thoughtful discussion with their adult children about an upcoming election; and

Whereas, Urging young adults to participate in elections is not about partisan politics, it is about participation in our democracy and making sure the voices of residents across New Jersey are heard, no matter what beliefs and priorities inform them; and

Whereas, Adults in New Jersey need to fulfill their foremost civic obligation by voting, and parents can play a crucial role in encouraging and helping their adult children to fulfill this civic obligation; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November each year is designated as “Bring Your Adult Child to Vote Day” in the State of New Jersey.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue a proclamation each year recognizing “Bring Your Adult Child to Vote Day” in the State of New Jersey and to call upon public officials and the people of this State to observe the day with appropriate programs and activities.

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November each year as “Bring Your Adult Child to Vote Day” in New Jersey.

The United States is facing a crisis of lack of political participation by the young people living in this country and New Jersey is not immune to the effects of this crisis. Only 54 percent of persons aged 18 to 29 voted in New Jersey in the 2024 presidential election. This represents a significant decrease from the 67 percent of persons aged 18 to 29 who voted in New Jersey in the 2020 presidential election. Unfortunately, out of all 50 states, New Jersey experienced the most significant drop in young voter participation from 2020 to 2024.

Of persons aged 18 to 29 surveyed about their top reason for not being registered to vote in 2024, only 9 percent said they were ineligible while 91 percent said they forgot, didn't have time or were too busy, missed the registration deadline, had trouble with their voter registration application, did not know how to register to vote, or that voting is not important to them. Better parental role-modeling, mentoring, and encouragement can increase voter turnout for young adults.

In New Jersey, all middle school students are required to take a course of study in civics which addresses the values and principles underlying the American system of constitutional democracy, the function and limitations of government, and the role of a citizen in a democratic society. While a civics course can be beneficial in teaching students about why their vote matters, it is just as important for the parents of young adults to show their children firsthand why voting is important and how easy it can be to have a person’s voice heard at the voting booth. Parents can plan a day for themselves and their adult children to vote together if they attend the same polling place, or can even offer to babysit grandchildren so their young adult children can take the time to vote. If parents are unable to plan a day to vote with their adult children, parents can also begin a thoughtful discussion with their adult children about an upcoming election.

Urging young adults to participate in elections is not about partisan politics, it is about participation in our democracy and making sure the voices of residents across New Jersey are heard, no matter what beliefs and priorities inform them. Adults in New Jersey need to fulfill their foremost civic obligation by voting, and parents can play a crucial role in encouraging and helping their adult children to fulfill this civic obligation.