Colleges Launch ‘Books ‘N’ Ballots’ Registration Drive

First there was “motor-voter.” Now there’s “books ‘n’ ballots.”

The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities has launched a campaign to get the nation’s more than 3,000 colleges and universities to include voter registration forms with class registration material this fall. The campaign marks the 25th anniversary of 26th Amendment, which lowered the voting age to 18 from 21. The amendment was ratified July 1, 1971.

“Because of the new motor-voter law, it’s possible for students to register not only for class, but also to vote,” said David Warren, the group’s president, referring to the law that allows people to register to vote when they get a driver’s license. “This is the first time in history every college has the opportunity to mobilize voting.”

Last April, Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., sponsored legislation that would require colleges and universities to provide voter registration materials to students when they register for classes.

Meanwhile, Youth Vote ‘96, a nonpartisan coalition of youth groups, unveiled 14 public service announcements aimed at getting young people involved in the electoral process. The ads, which are to begin airing nationwide July 15, have such messages as: “Take charge. Organize voting in your community,” and, “If we don’t vote, we won’t be heard.”