SRES-353-116
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5760; text: CR S5756)
Sponsored by Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
What it does
This resolution formally recognizes September 24, 2019, as "National Voter Registration Day." It encourages eligible citizens to register to vote, verify their personal information on file with local election officials, and participate in elections. As a Senate resolution, it carries no binding legal force and does not create, change, or repeal any law.
Who benefits
Voter registration advocacy organizations and civic engagement groups gain symbolic federal recognition for their outreach efforts. Eligible but unregistered voters may be prompted to register. Local election officials may see increased public awareness of voter registration verification processes.
Who is hurt
No group faces a direct material harm from this resolution. Critics of federal symbolic messaging on voting matters may object to the Senate lending its institutional voice to voter registration promotion, viewing it as outside the Senate's core legislative role.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that voter registration is a foundational step in democratic participation, and that a unified Senate voice encouraging eligible citizens to register sends a powerful, nonpartisan civic message. They contend that millions of eligible Americans remain unregistered due to lack of awareness or inertia, and that symbolic recognition by the full Senate — passed by unanimous consent — can amplify existing outreach efforts at no cost to taxpayers. Encouraging citizens to verify their registration information also helps reduce administrative errors that can prevent eligible voters from casting ballots on Election Day.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that voter registration outreach is properly the domain of state and local governments, private civic organizations, and individuals — not the federal legislature. They contend that the Senate's time and institutional credibility are better spent on binding legislation rather than non-enforceable symbolic declarations. Some may further argue that federal promotion of voter registration, even in symbolic form, edges toward federal involvement in election administration, an area the Constitution reserves primarily to the states under the Elections Clause and the Tenth Amendment.