Getting ready for National Voter Registration Day

By Kyle Hoover, NCAAN Promote the Vote Coordinator

When it comes to all of the facts and figures relating to voter registration, there is one that stands out the most: 0 percent of unregistered voters will vote on November 6th. A simple and straightforward, yet all too alarming statistic that shows the importance of voter registration.

Even more alarming is the fact that 35 percent of America’s eligible voters are unregistered. This means that 35 percent of all people who can vote are missing their chance.

Registering to vote by the October 12 deadline is the first step you can take to make your voice heard in the upcoming election. This lets the people most affected by HIV/AIDS to choose which candidates will make decisions about HIV/AIDS policy.The results of the November election will have a major impact on the amount of money for HIV programs, carrying out the Affordable Care Act, and access to reproductive health care.

With Election Day less than 54 days away, now is the time to put  HIV/AIDS related issues in the spotlight and increase voter registration among supporters. Here at NCAAN we believe that all North Carolina families deserve health care policies centered on fairness, equality, and access to care. The votes of those who also believe this can be a powerful force in making this future possible.

This September 25th is the first National Voter Registration Day. This is a nationwide effort to increase the number of registered voters and highlight the importance of voter registration. Hundreds of organizations, including NCAAN, are already signed up to participate.  You and your organization can be involved by hosting or assisting in voter registration drives, running a social media campaign, or educating your partners and friends.

How to register or update your registration

Local voter registration efforts make it easier than ever to be registered to vote in this extremely important election by the October 12 deadline. Check out our NCAAN Votes initiative, where you can find many resources on voter registration; Democracy North Carolina’s NC Election Connection, where you can find information about voting.

Remember, you will need to update your registration if you have moved or if you have not voted in quite some time.

If you are not currently registered to vote or if you need to update your registration, here are three simple ways you can get a voter registration form:

1. If you have a printer: Download the voter registration form (pdf), print, fill out, and return it to your County Board of Elections (either by mail or in person).
2. If you don't have a printer, but have transportation: You can register to vote in person at your local DMV office, Employment Security Commission office, public assistance agency or disability service agency. See a full list of places to register in person.
3. If you don't have a printer or transportation: Contact Kyle Hoover at kyle@ncaan.org or (919) 355-8037, and we will mail you a voter registration form.

However you decide to register, or how you help someone else register, remember that you must return the completed form to your local county board of elections office by October 12. Once you do that, you're ready to vote in North Carolina and help to build the future centered on fairness, and equality, and access to care that all North Carolina residents deserve.