Press Release

Cummings Introduces Bill to Encourage Youth Voting, Civic Education
Bill will create grants to support Constitution education classes in public, charter schools.

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Elijah E. Cummings today announced a bill that would expose more students to the lessons of Democracy contained in our Constitution and encourage them to get more involved in selecting the leaders of our nation.

The Constitution and Citizenship Day Act of 2009 (H.R. 3591) provides public and charter high schools with an incentive to expose students to the importance of the Constitution as well as distribute and collect voter registration forms from eligible students.

“Voter turnout in our nation is embarrassingly low and the understanding of the foundation of our country is often equally poor,” said Congressman Cummings. “Young people now make up nearly a third of our electorate. We must ensure they are an educated electorate, not just in academic studies, but in the history and laws of our nation.”

Constitution Day falls on September 17th of each calendar year normally without any wide public acknowledgement.  The Constitution and Citizenship Day Act of 2009 provides public school districts with a financial grant award for using Constitution Day, September 17^th as a day to teach students about the United States Constitution and the constitution of their state through participation

To be eligible school districts will hold assemblies, discussions, or presentations.

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