SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, Secretary of State Bruce McPherson, and partners in education today announced they have joined forces to establish the Student Voting Project, a bipartisan effort to increase student knowledge about the democratic principles and processes in order to address a growing concern about waning student engagement in civic and governmental affairs.

"Our nation's founders recognized that our government would survive only with educated and committed citizens," O'Connell said. "Nothing is more fundamental to the success of government by the people and for the people than citizens who are informed and engaged. Our founding fathers advocated for public schools for that very reason. Today, it is every bit as important that all young people learn about the Constitution that governs our country and that they understand its importance in keeping our country free and strong."

"Today's youth are the future of our democracy," said Secretary of State Bruce McPherson. "The Student Voting Project was established to encourage young people to participate and have confidence in government and the elections process."

The Student Voting Project has planned two programs to encourage civic education and involvement. The first project highlighting Constitution Day took place today at John F. Kennedy High School in Sacramento. A new federal requirement enacted in 2005 designates each September 17 as Constitution Day. Schools are required to "hold an educational program on the United States Constitution" on that day and since September 17 fell on a Sunday this year, the Student Voting Project encouraged schools to hold their educational activities today. In conjunction with the Campaign for the Civic Mission for Schools and the Constitutional Rights Foundation, resources were provided to California schools to assist them in planning their activities or lessons.

Second, the Student Voting Project is conducting a Student Mock Election on October 24 to familiarize young people with the elections process. Students will have the opportunity to make their choices known for U.S. Senate, Governor, and state propositions. The Student Mock Election is aimed at promoting voter education efforts among California students to ensure that they know not just why they should be involved in the democratic process but how they can make a difference. To date, almost 300 schools in California have signed up for this program. The results of the mock election will be available online at California Secretary of State [http://www.ss.ca.gov] (Outside Source).

Partners involved in the Student Voting Project who participated in the event today included the Campaign for the Civic Mission for Schools — Constitutional Rights Foundation, California School Boards Association, California Parent-Teachers Association, California League of Women Voters, California Association of Student Councils, California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, and the Center for Civic Education.

The Student Voting Project was formed based on the belief that activities like Constitution Day and the Student Mock Election can make a difference while adding meaning to the principle of the "consent of the governed" as it applies to California students.

For information about the Student Voting Project, including organizations involved in the project, visit California Secretary of State [http://www.ss.ca.gov] (Outside Source), or call 916-657-2166.