Title
Encouraging the citizens of Philadelphia to support the "I Vote Project," designed to increase the voting participation of the Philadelphia electorate.
Body
WHEREAS, Of 165 sovereign nations, 5 out of 6 have had an average voter turnout of 50% or more in all elections since 1945. However, the United States does not belong to that group. Our average voter turnout for all elections since 1945 has been less than 50%; and
WHEREAS, In the 1999 Primary Election held in Philadelphia on April 3, only 16 percent of the registered voters cast their vote on election day; and
WHEREAS, America is in danger of becoming a divided nation of voters and non-voters. Absent the socializing influences of politically engaged parents, higher education, and other mediating institutions, young Americans may perpetuate the gap between voting and non-voting classes; and
WHEREAS, The "I Vote Project" was incorporated in the state of Delaware in May 24, 1999 and is a qualified 501c3 non-profit organization. The project was conceived to motivate citizens to exercise their right to vote and to distinguish voters from non-voters on election day; and
WHEREAS, The "I Vote Project" enjoys the support of many municipalities throughout the United States. This includes counties in Delaware, California, Texas, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kansas and many other states in the nation; and
WHEREAS, The "I Vote Project" is attempting to increase the youth vote by implementing a program for High School Students called Vote Chat. Vote Chat is based on the "Millenium Project" authored by the National Association Secretaries of State; and
WHEREAS, The ability to elect individuals to represent us in federal, state and local governments is a right that was granted to us by our forefathers and is the cornerstone of our democracy; and
WHEREAS, Among its program features, the "I Vote Project: encourages citizens to exercise their right to vote on election day by pr...
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