2021 National Voter Registration Day

Today we are celebrating the 9th annual National Voter Registration Day. National Voter Registration Day is a day to recognize the importance of nonpartisan democracy and our role in voting. It is celebrated on the fourth Tuesday in September as a reminder to get involved in the election process, check our registration status, and encourage those who are not registered to get registered. 

Gaining its own national holiday in 2012, National Voter Registration Day started and continues as a way to create widespread awareness and engagement for individuals from all walks of life. It is celebrated through community events, voter registration drives, social media campaigns, library initiatives, and local official involvement to bring voter awareness to the top of everyone’s mind and news feed in one day. 

1 in 4 eligible voters are not registered, which makes a huge difference, especially when we see elections won by very narrow margins. The need for National Voter Registration Day is largely due to this gap in registration. For those that have just turned 18, moved, changed their name, gained citizenship, or are returning citizens, many don’t understand the process of getting registered or updating their registration status. This lack of knowledge, especially within younger communities and communities of color, results in failure to register at all or by the deadline. In many cases, this is an avoidable issue that we can help resolve. National Voter Registration Day creates education for the public on how to register to vote, check registration status, update information, and know when upcoming deadlines and election dates are. 

It also encourages voters to get informed about what’s on the ballot. When our communities are educated on the voting process and why their voice matters, there is a greater likelihood that they will engage in the process. National Voter Registration Day not only highlights the importance of voting but also highlights the issues that are happening in the nation and in their own backyard. With all of the changes to voting laws across the nation, this day holds tremendous importance in ensuring all eligible voters have a voice through voting.

Since its start, National Voter Registration Day has gotten over 4.5 million individuals from all backgrounds to either register for the first time or update their registration status. Let’s keep that momentum going on September 28th! We encourage you to check your registration status and spread the word. Your voice and your vote matter, so we will see you at the polls! 

References:

https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/documents/2021/07/2021-communications-toolkit.pdf/

https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/about/