FACTS about National Voter Registration Day: History and Celebrations
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| National Voter Registration Day falls on the fourth Tuesday of September. Photo: US Election Assistance Commission |
National Voter Registration Day, on September 28, brings Americans together over our mutual love of democracy — or so we hope. The day falls on the fourth Tuesday of the month. While 2019 is not an election year, we all have the chance to register for next year’s national races as well as local contests. First up for 2020? The Iowa caucuses take place on February 3. That’s just a little over four months away.
If you’re already registered, make sure your information is current with the registrar’s office.
About National Voter Registration Day
National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating our democracy. First observed in 2012, it has quickly gained momentum ever since. Nearly 3 million voters have registered to vote on the holiday to date, notes National Voter Registration Day.
Celebrated on the fourth Tuesday of September, National Voter Registration Day will next take place on September 22, 2020. The holiday has been endorsed by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED), the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), and the National Association of Election Officials (The Election Center).
History of National Voter Registration Day
The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) established the first National Voter Registration Day on September 25, 2012. In 2014, the NASS established the Fourth Tuesday of September as the official day for National Voter Registration Day, according to National Day Calendar.
What is it about?
Every year millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. National Voter Registration Day wants to make sure everyone has the opportunity to vote. On Tuesday September 22, 2020 volunteers and organizations from all over the country will “hit the streets” in a single day of coordinated field, technology and media efforts. National Voter Registration Day seeks to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities to reach tens of thousands of voters who may not register otherwise.
National Voter Registration Day Timeline
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| Photo: Permanent Offense |
1965- The Voting Rights Act Became Law
President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law allowing people of color to vote without barriers to political involvement.
1972- African-American legislators made history
Barbara Jordan and Andrew Young entered Congress as the first African-Americans elected since Reconstruction.
2006- Voting Rights Act Extended
Congress extended Section 5, a key part of the Voting Rights Act, for 25 more years.
2011- South Carolina Passed Strict Voter ID Law
South Carolina's voter ID law, one of the most restrictive in the nation, would prohibit 180,000 African-Americans from voting.
2013- Alabama NAACP lost Supreme Court decision
In the decision against Alabama's NAACP in Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court ruled that certain jurisdictions with a history of voting discrimination did not have to get pre-approval for voting rule changes.
How to Observe #VoterRegistrationDay
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| Photo: About Facebook |
If your right to vote means anything to you, make sure you’re registered. While registration isn’t required in every state, every state has minimum requirements. Knowing what they are and being prepared to vote is an important part of a democracy, National Day Calendar cites.
Learn about your voter rights and requirements. Be informed by checking where your polling place is. You can also learn more about mail-in voting. If you have any questions about voter registration, all the answers are conveniently located in one place. Each state has different requirements. So, if you’ve moved recently, be sure to know the requirements where you live. Make your vote count. Visit www.nationalvoterregistrationday.org to learn more.
Register to vote and use #VoterRegistrationDay to post on social media.
What It Has Accomplished
Registering Voters
Nearly 3 million voters across all 50 states have registered to vote on National Voter Registration Day, including 1.3 million in 2018-2019 alone.
Mobilizing Volunteers
Each year, the holiday’s growing number of local partners engage upwards of 20,000 volunteers
Educating Citizens
By leveraging technology and the reach of our partners, we educate Americans about how to register, sign up for election reminders, request mail-in ballots, learn about early voting options, and more.
Uniting Americans
National Voter Registration Day is a day of civic unity. It’s an opportunity to set aside differences, enjoy the rights and opportunities we all share as Americans, and celebrate our democracy.
National Voter Registration Day Activities
Pump it up with a rally
What's more American than a good old-fashioned rally? Get some speakers, throw in some entertainment and, of course, assemble voter registration tables. Make it a fun event with a purpose.
Volunteer to knock on doors
Walking the neighborhood is a great way to meet people. Remember, National Voter Registration Day is not about hyping any one party. It's about educating voters and getting out the vote. Plus, all the exercise is good for your thighs.
Volunteer
There are lots of ways to volunteer on National Voter Registration Day. Not only can you sign up voters, you can also create a social media page, design a flyer, or take a carpool of friends to an event. Be creative.
National Voter Registration Day Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | September 28 | Tuesday |
| 2022 | September 27 | Tuesday |
| 2023 | September 26 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | September 24 | Tuesday |
| 2025 | September 23 | Tuesday |
Why the National Voter Registration Day is praised
Time to celebrate our democratic heritage
National Voter Registration Day has volunteers out en masse with voter registration activities at school, in the workplace, and in your neighborhoods. For one whole day, volunteers and various organizations collaborate by setting up registration tables, knocking on doors or producing social and mass media awareness campaigns over the importance of registering to vote. National Voter Registration Day makes an all-out effort to register the tens of thousands of Americans who can make a difference at the ballot box, noted National Today.
Don't hate—celebrate
National Voter Registration Day discourages political voter rage in favor of voter celebration. Imagine over 10,000 volunteers working together one full day to educate Americans on one of our most precious rights — the right to vote. In 2016, 750,00 voters registered on National Voter Registration Day. With so many world citizens denied this basic right, promoting our core democratic values, voting, should give all Americans something to cheer about on National Voter Registration Day.
It educates Americans on voting rights
National Voter Registration Day reminds and educates American on the voter requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a current resident of your state. When you see a National Voter Registration Day table or volunteer, you can do more than just register. You can confirm your polling place, update your registration details, or just get information if it all seems a little over your head. Voting — it's all good!
| 5 FACTS ABOUT VOTING THAT WILL MAKE YOU GO "HMMMM" No idiots, please Ohio's constitution bans "idiots" from voting according to Article V, Section 6 of the state constitution. George Washington campaigned with booze During his first legislative run, George Washington spent his campaign budget of 50 pounds on a round of election day drinks for his constituents. Voting, Texas-style As part of the Texas voter ID process, you can't vote with a student ID but if you show a gun license, you're good to go. Those persevering Utah women Utah women voters were granted the right in 1870 — but it was revoked by Congress in 1887 — and re-instituted by the state in 1895. You had to pay a tax to vote Poll taxes, started in the 1890s, legally kept southern African-Americans from voting by making them pay for the right. |
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