Enacts the "student voter empowerment act"; requires each institution of higher education to designate a staff member to act as a student voting coordinator; requires such coordinator to develop and implement a student voting action plan to increase student voter registration and voting and democratic participation among students.
Impact
If enacted, A03954 would significantly revise the state's election laws by requiring each higher education institution to establish and maintain a dedicated webpage with vital information regarding voter registration, early mail ballots, polling locations, and key election dates. Furthermore, institutions will be required to provide voter registration assistance, including applications for students, and report their efforts annually to the state board of elections. This legislation aims to streamline the voting process for students and promote higher engagement levels during elections.
Summary
A03954, known as the "Student Voter Empowerment Act", is designed to enhance student participation in the electoral process within New York's higher education institutions. The bill mandates that all public and private colleges and universities in the state designate a staff member as a student voting coordinator. This coordinator is responsible for creating and implementing a student voting action plan aimed at increasing voter registration and democratic participation among students. The plan is to cover activities for the two years leading up to a statewide general election.
Contention
Despite the bill's intent to foster democratic participation, it may face challenges in implementation, particularly around the necessity for institutions to follow specific guidelines while remaining neutral in political engagements. Some critics might argue that this requirement could complicate the administrative workload of institutions or that dedicated resources for voter outreach could divert funds from other essential educational services. There may also be concerns regarding how effectively these outreach efforts would translate into actual voter registration and turnout among students.
Same As
Enacts the "student voter empowerment act"; requires each institution of higher education to designate a staff member to act as a student voting coordinator; requires such coordinator to develop and implement a student voting action plan to increase student voter registration and voting and democratic participation among students.
Enacts the "student voter empowerment act"; requires each institution of higher education to designate a staff member to act as a student voting coordinator; requires such coordinator to develop and implement a student voting action plan to increase student voter registration and voting and democratic participation among students.
Lowers the voting age to 16 years; requires that students receive education in civics and be given the opportunity to register to vote in the classroom.
Requires instruction on voting in curriculum of students in grade 12 as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Social Studies.
Enacts the student suicide prevention act; requires the governing board or body of every local educational agency serving students in grades seven to twelve, to adopt policies, procedures and guidelines on student suicide prevention, intervention and postvention for students in such grades.
Enacts the student suicide prevention act; requires the governing board or body of every local educational agency serving students in grades seven to twelve, to adopt policies, procedures and guidelines on student suicide prevention, intervention and postvention for students in such grades.
Requires tuition aid grant amounts to be equal for students enrolled in independent institutions of higher education and students enrolled in four-year public institutions of higher education.
Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain propriety institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.
Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.
Establishes process for merger or consolidation of public institution of higher education with other institutions of higher education or certain proprietary institutions; requires executive and legislative approval of merger or consolidation.
Establishes process for merger or consolidation of public institution of higher education with other institutions of higher education or certain proprietary institutions; requires executive and legislative approval of merger or consolidation.
Relating to the issuance of a diploma to a student graduating from a public institution of higher education that has undergone a merger, acquisition, or name change.