Encouraging the citizens of Philadelphia to support the "I Vote Project," designed to increase the voting participation of the Philadelphia electorate.

WHEREAS, Of 165 sovereign nations, 5 out of 6 have had an average voter turnout of 50% or more in all elections since 1945. However, the United States does not belong to that group. Our average voter turnout for all elections since 1945 has been less than 50%; and

WHEREAS, In the 1999 Primary Election held in Philadelphia on April 3, only 16 percent of the registered voters cast their vote on election day; and

WHEREAS, America is in danger of becoming a divided nation of voters and non-voters. Absent the socializing influences of politically engaged parents, higher education, and other mediating institutions, young Americans may perpetuate the gap between voting and non-voting classes; and

WHEREAS, The "I Vote Project" was incorporated in the state of Delaware in May 24, 1999 and is a qualified 501c3 non-profit organization. The project was conceived to motivate citizens to exercise their right to vote and to distinguish voters from non-voters on election day; and

WHEREAS, The "I Vote Project" enjoys the support of many municipalities throughout the United States. This includes counties in Delaware, California, Texas, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kansas and many other states in the nation; and

WHEREAS, The "I Vote Project" is attempting to increase the youth vote by implementing a program for High School Students called Vote Chat. Vote Chat is based on the "Millenium Project" authored by the National Association Secretaries of State; and

WHEREAS, The ability to elect individuals to represent us in federal, state and local governments is a right that was granted to us by our forefathers and is the cornerstone of our democracy; and

WHEREAS, Among its program features, the “I Vote Project: encourages citizens to exercise their right to vote on election day by providng each individual who casts his or her vote on General Election day with a keepsake lapel pin inscribed with the words – “ I vote November 7, 2000”; now therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Encourages the citizens and the city government of Philadelphia to support the "I Vote Project," in order to increase voter participation in our City.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Ms. Anne Boyle, Director of the "I Vote Project," as an expression of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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