NALEO Educational Fund and 3,000 Groups Across the Country Celebrate National Voter Registration Day
Organization’s toll-free bilingual hotline 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA will be in operation to assist eligible new voters in advance of November state and municipal elections
Washington, DC – In advance of state and municipal elections this November, NALEO Educational Fund and more than 3,000 groups across the country are celebrating National Voter Registration Day today by joining together for a massive 50-state effort to register voters.
Every year, millions of Americans are unable to vote because of problems with their voter registration. New data from the Democracy Fund shows that many Americans lack a basic understanding of the voter registration process, with 41 percent of voters stating they did not know they have to update their voter registration when they move across town. Even in states where the registration process is made easy with online voter registration, only 1 in 3 voters are aware they have an online registration option. “Thousands of Latino voters did not make their voices heard in Election 2016, either because they lacked the information necessary to vote, missed a deadline, or were not properly registered,” stated Arturo Vargas, NALEO Educational Fund executive director and National Voter Registration Day Steering Committee member. Vargas added, “We cannot afford to let that happen if we want the Latino community and our democracy to realize its full political potential. That is why I am proud to have NALEO Educational Fund join thousands of partners across the country for National Voter Registration Day as we work together to ensure that Latinos and all eligible voters are registered and able to exercise their right to vote.” As the nation’s second largest population group, Latinos play a critical role in the future of our democracy. More than 27.3 million Latinos were eligible to cast ballots in Election 2016, accounting for 12 percent of all eligible voters. On National Voter Registration Day and throughout the month of September, NALEO Educational Fund will do its part to ensure eligible Latino voters have the information necessary to register to vote and make their voices heard in state and municipal elections this November. Through NALEO Educational Fund’s toll-free bilingual hotline 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682), individuals can speak with live hotline operators that are available to answer questions about any aspect of the voter registration and electoral process, from registration deadlines and requirements, to election dates, to polling locations, and more. NALEO Educational Fund fielded nearly 20,000 calls to its 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682) on National Voter Registration Day last year, helping thousands of potential new voters in advance of Election 2016. National Voter Registration Day has become an annual opportunity for Americans of all backgrounds and political affiliations to come together and ensure that everyone gets the chance to exercise their right to vote. Since 2012, over 1.4 million people have registered to vote or updated their registration as part of National Voter Registration Day. Other key National Voter Registration Day partners joining NALEO Educational Fund’s effort to reach and register the millions of eligible Latino voters this year include Mi Familia Vota, Voto Latino, Univision Inc., and more. To find out more about how to register or whether you need to update your voter registration, call 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682) or visit NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org. Posted by Latino Lubbock Magazine News
