Summary#
AJR-199 is an introduced New Jersey joint resolution; it does not amend an existing law. It would designate the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November each year as “Bring Your Adult Child to Vote Day.” Its stated goal is to encourage young adults to participate in elections; the bill does not guarantee that result.
- The designation would take effect immediately if the resolution is adopted.
- The Governor would be respectfully requested to issue an annual proclamation and call on public officials and residents to observe the day with appropriate programs and activities.
- The resolution does not require parents and adult children to vote together, create a voting program, or change voting rights, registration rules, or election procedures.
- It is introduced and is not yet law.
What it means for you#
This is mainly a civic designation and request, not a new voting service or requirement.
- Parents and adult children: You would not have to vote together or take part in any activity. The resolution encourages families to discuss voting or make a plan to vote together.
- Public officials and residents: The Governor is asked to issue a proclamation and call on people to observe the day, but the resolution does not require anyone to organize or attend an activity.
- Voters generally: The bill does not change who may vote, how to register, or how or where to vote.
Money#
No publicly available information on costs is included in the supplied material.
- The resolution does not set aside money or require spending.
- It requests a proclamation and calls for appropriate programs and activities, but does not specify who would run or pay for them.
What is unclear#
- “Appropriate programs and activities” is not defined, and the resolution gives no examples or details.
- The resolution does not say whether the Governor would issue the requested proclamation or how public officials would respond to the request.
- It sets no way to measure whether the designation changes voter participation.
- “Adult child” is not defined, though the resolution creates no eligibility rule or service based on that term.
Case for#
- The bill appears intended to address low participation among young adults, which it says fell in New Jersey from 67% in 2020 to 54% in 2024 among people aged 18 to 29.
- A possible argument for the bill is that a named day could prompt parents to model voting, offer practical help, or start a conversation about elections.
- The resolution asks for public recognition and activities without imposing a voting requirement or changing election rules.
Case against#
- One concern is that the designation may have little effect on participation because the resolution does not require activities, provide funding, or create a specific outreach plan.
- It is unclear who would organize or pay for any activities the Governor calls for.
- The bill gives no way to assess whether the designation works, so its effect would be difficult to judge.