Hoyer Joins University of Maryland to Announce Federal Grant
To Ignite Civic Spirit of UM Students
CAPC Awarded $25,000 Grant from Help America Vote College Program

Date: October 27, 2004
For More Information: Katie Elbert (202) 225-4131

COLLEGE PARK, MD - Congressman Steny Hoyer today joined students from the University of Maryland, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and the University’s Center for American Politics and Citizenship to announce a grant that will, in part, provide training for U.S. college students to serve as poll workers on Nov. 2. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s “Help America Vote College Program” awarded the University a $25,000 grant. 

Congressman Hoyer was the lead Democratic sponsor in the House of Representatives of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and incorporated this program in the bill to address the shortage of young people helping at polling places. The program is also intended to ignite the civic spirit of college students and young adults so that they are more aware of the election process and more confident that their participation will make a difference.

Following are Congressman Hoyer’s remarks as prepared for delivery.

“I take great personal pride that my alma mater has been awarded a ‘Help America Vote College Poll Worker Grant.’  And, I am deeply gratified that almost 180 Maryland students have volunteered to serve as non-partisan poll workers in next Tuesday’s election in Prince George’s County, thanks to the HAVA program.

“Their service next week will be critical, as will the service of all young people participating in the first 15 HAVA College Programs across the country.  They will help satisfy the need for almost 2 million volunteer poll workers and election judges to make sure every eligible American has his or her vote counted.

“But the Help America Vote College Program is about more than ensuring there are enough nonpartisan poll workers next week.  Indeed, when I set out to enact comprehensive election reform shortly after the 2000 election, I determined that more needed to be done to ignite the civic spirit in young Americans.  I saw elections as way to do that.

“The facts show that much needs to be done.  According to the most recent Census figures, only 54.7 percent of the total voting age population reported voting in 2000.  More disturbing, only 32% of Americans 18 to 24 years old reported voting in 2000.  Since 1980 there has been a steady decline in registration among Americans of every age, race, and gender.

“The unfortunate truth is that registration and voter participation rates in the United States are among the lowest in the industrialized world.  This nation is on the verge of a crisis in civic engagement at a moment in history when it can least afford one.  If our democracy is to mean anything, registration and voter participation rates must improve.

“The Help America Vote College Program is an attempt to reverse the decline and address the civic engagement crisis.  My hope is that through first-hand exposure to the polling place, young people participating in the HAVA program will gain a deeper respect for our democratic process and a stronger appreciation for the idea that their vote does make a difference.

“Just as important, I hope they learn that citizenship, to be worth anything, must be acted upon.  Not just at the polling place, but at school and in the community.  Not just on Election Day but all year round.

“To the Election Assistance Commission and the University of Maryland, I say thank you for making this event possible, which is nothing less than a commitment to expanding our most cherished right; the right to vote.”

Press Coverage of Event:

"University Students Supplement Poll-working Seniors"
"U. Md. Students to Work at Polling Places"
"College Students Get Out the Vote"
"Feds look to college students to fill election judge holes"