National Voter Registration Day, opens a new window is a national holiday celebrating our democracy. It was first observed in 2012 and has been growing every year since. Held on the fourth Tuesday of September, this year National Voter Registration Day will be observed on Tuesday, September 25.
Teens Pre-register at 16. Vote at 18.
22 million teens will turn 18 by the 2020 presidential elections. While youth have been advocating for their voices to be heard, many young people remain unsure about how to participate in elections. The key to getting these voting age youth to vote is registration.
According to the non-partisan Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, opens a new window, 50% of 18-29 year olds didn't vote in the 2016 presidential election. But youth voting matters!
It matters because:
- Voting is habit-forming
- Young people deserve to be heard
- The youth vote can influence elections
While youth voter registration is much lower than it is for other age groups, when young people are registered they tend to vote in high numbers. All signs point to teen registration being beneficial. That's why the State of California is offering pre-registration.
All eligible 16 and 17 year olds can pre-register to vote, opens a new window now. Pre-registration does not change the voting age, which is 18. Instead, it allows eligible Californians ages 16 or 17 to complete the online voter registration form providing sufficient time and opportunity to get ready to vote.
Register by October 22 to Vote in Midterms
Every year millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss the registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t even sure how to register. Don't let that happen to you!
Last year over 750,000 voters used National Voter Registration Day to register to vote across all 50 states. If you aren't registered, have moved, or aren’t sure if your voting information is up to date, you can register online, opens a new window or visit one of our community libraries on September 25 and library staff will assist you in registering, or help you find out where and how to vote, opens a new window.
For more information on voting, youth voting and more, visit Voter’s Edge California, opens a new window, 22x20, opens a new window, the American Association of People with Disabilities REV UP, opens a new window campaign, Rock the Vote, opens a new window and the League of Women Voters of North & Central San Mateo County, opens a new window.
What does voting mean to you? Share with us in the comments below.
