MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill joined members of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Tuesday in declaring September 2015 “National Voter Registration Month” as well as September 22 National Voter Registration Day.
NASS members explained that they established September 22 as National Voter Registration Day as a “non-partisan means of encouraging voter participation and increasing awareness about state requirements and deadlines for voting.”
To “celebrate” National Voter Registration Day, Merrill implores Alabamians to register to vote, ensure their voter registration is up to date, and sign up for election reminders and updates. In addition, Merrill and other members of the NASS encourage participants in National Voter Registration Day to share their experiences online.
“To help promote National Voter Registration Day, Secretaries of State across the nation are challenging Americans to get registered to vote by leveraging the power of social media and viral video,” said Merrill.
National Voter Registration Day is using the hashtag #CelebrateNVRD on social media outlets to help spread the word and get more people to register to vote.
“Our goal is to encourage involvement within the electoral process,” Merrill concluded. “We want every person who is eligible to vote, as a citizen of Alabama, to have the privilege to do so.”
Another recent effort to encourage voter registration in Alabama includes Merrill recruiting the head football coaches of Alabama and Auburn to star in informational videos. The videos will appear on jumbotrons in Bryant-Denny and Jordan-Hare Stadiums throughout the season to spread the importance of voter registration.
Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL7) also celebrated the day by encouraging younger voters to get registered for the first time.
“Our votes are our voice, and every eligible voter should make his or her voice heard,” said Sewell in a press release Tuesday. “It’s important that we encourage and engage younger voters. Historically, young adults ages 18-24 are less likely to vote as compared to older adults. Voting is one of our most fundamental rights. We cannot take it for granted.
“National Voter Registration Day encourages high school seniors to register to vote, and to become active and engaged citizens within their communities. As a daughter of Selma, I cannot forget the sacrifices that were made by the brave men and women who laid their lives on the line so that all Americans can enjoy their Constitutionally-guaranteed right to vote.
“We must honor that legacy by voting in each and every election – local, state, and federal. I am calling on our young people to register to vote. You are the future, and we need to hear your voices.”
To learn more about registering to vote or National Voter Registration Day, please visit www.nationalvoterregistrationday.org.
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