National Voter Registration Day is More Critical Than Ever in 2020

Leagues to host 850+ registration events and virtual activations September 22 

WASHINGTON – Today marks National Voter Registration Day, a nonpartisan civic holiday since 2012, where organizations come together to register hundreds of thousands of voters on a single day. 

“Voter registration is drastically behind where we should be for a presidential election year,” said Virginia Kase, CEO of the League of Women Voters. “Any other year, our volunteers would have spent the last six months out in the community, registering voters at naturalization ceremonies, farmers markets, gyms, and grocery stores, but because of the pandemic, that hasn’t been possible. We are doing all we can to register as many people as possible in time for this election. But we are just a few short weeks from registration deadlines, so it is more important than ever to reach out to people in our lives who might not be ready to vote this year and encourage them to register or check their registration.” 

League members and volunteers will be hosting more than 850 events across the country, including setting up drive-thru voter registration booths, hosting virtual parties, teaming up with restaurants to put voting information into take-out bags, working with schools to make voter registration announcements over school loudspeakers, and more.  

“The pandemic has forced us to find creative ways to reach voters and we’re proud that, despite the unique challenges this year, our national network is on track to have its biggest-ever impact,” said Maggie Bush, director of programs and outreach for the League of Women Voters. “At the same time, we know that millions of Americans – especially young people and first-time voters – have been displaced by COVID-19. We need to reach them – right now—and encourage them to vote for their future.”  

In addition to in-person and digital events, the League and partner organizations will be pushing voters to register online through sites like the League’s nonpartisan election tool VOTE411.org. Forty states offer online voter registration and deadlines will start closing in early October.  

“Millions more voters than expected have already come to our election website, VOTE411.org this year,” said Jeanette Senecal, senior director of Mission Impact for the League of Women Voters. “That tells us that voters are seeking information, planning to act early, and turnout will be record-breaking. National Voter Registration Day is the perfect time to check your registration status and ask your friends to do the same.” 

Learn more about National Voter Registration Day or find a local event HERE.

CONTACT: Sarah Courtney | 202-263-1332 | [email protected]