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 designates September 24, 2019, as "National Voter Registration Day." It encourages eligible citizens to register to vote, verify their registration information, and vote if they choose to. It creates no new law, funding, or enforcement mechanism.
Who benefits
Voter registration organizations and civic groups that may use the designation to promote registration drives. No group gains a material or financial benefit, since the resolution has no legal or regulatory effect.
Who is hurt
No group is meaningfully affected. The resolution does not alter any election rule, funding stream, or legal requirement.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that a national day drawing attention to voter registration helps raise public awareness and encourages civic participation, especially among eligible citizens who have moved or otherwise lapsed in their registration status. They contend that such symbolic resolutions cost nothing and carry broad, non-controversial bipartisan support, as reflected by its passage by unanimous consent with sponsors from both parties.
Opponents argue
Critics of commemorative resolutions in general argue that such measures use floor time and legislative resources on symbolic gestures rather than substantive policy, and that recognition of civic activities like voter registration drives could be handled by advocacy groups or state governments without a congressional resolution. They contend that these designations set a precedent for an ever-growing list of commemorative days with no lasting effect.
Constitutional context
This resolution raises no constitutional question beyond Congress's general authority to adopt simple expressions of sentiment, and it does not implicate the Elections Clause or any voter regulation since it imposes no binding rule.
Checks and balances
No branch gains or loses authority; the resolution is purely expressive and creates no enforceable obligation for any government body.
Historical precedent
The Senate has passed similar resolutions recognizing National Voter Registration Day in prior years, reflecting a recurring bipartisan commemorative practice rather than a one-time action.