Fluorescent lamps that comprise a glass envelope with an exterior surface and first and second electrodes located within the glass envelope include a transparent electrically conductive material affixed to the exterior surface of the glass envelope. The transparent electrically conductive material extends between the vicinity of the first electrode and the vicinity of the second electrode, thereby providing a path for an electric current to pass between the first and second electrodes and reduce the open circuit voltage required to start the fluorescent lamp. The transparent electrically conductive material affixed to the exterior surface of the glass envelope can comprise one or more stripes of the material so that less than the total exterior surface area of the glass envelope is covered by the transparent electrically conductive material.