3848

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

President of the United States, thereby, ranking the United
States last in voter turnout among the 15 largest democracies;
and

WHEREAS, Blacks, other minorities, women, and the poor
represent the greatest percentage of unregistered potential
voters; and

WHEREAS, Episodic voter registration campaigns dependent
upon volunteers do little to address this growing and critical
problem; and

WHEREAS, Agency based voter registration represents an
innovative step that systematically and routinely provides for
the registration of millions in agencies serving those who are
often underrepresented in the electorate; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Governor is requested to establish a task force to study and make
recommendations for increasing voter registration and
participation in the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force examine and report on
increasing the registration of voters through comprehensive
activities examination of various potential opportunities for
registration, which may include:

(1)  Registration in schools;

(2)  Registration in U. S. post offices;

(3)  Registration in State government offices;

(4)  Registration at universities and colleges;

(5)  Registration in community centers; and

(6)  Registration in the workplace; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this task  force shall make recommendations

for the implementation of    more effective and comprehensive

programs for increasing voter  registration and participation; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That the task force be composed of members
appointed as follows:

(1)  2 members from the Senate of Maryland, appointed
by the President of the Senate;

(2)  2 members from the House of Delegates, appointed
by the Speaker of the House; and

(3) A representative, appointed by the Governor, from
each of the following agencies.