Memphis is one of the many cities that will celebrate National Voter Registration Day Tuesday by educating citizens about the registration process and the importance of voting.
The holiday is celebrated on the fourth Tuesday of every September and teaches people how to register, receive mail ballots, vote early and sign up for election reminders.
The number of people who register on the holiday has increased every year. In 2016, over 750,000 people across the 50 states registered on this day, but some say there is still work that needs to be done for the state of Tennessee.
A 2016 Pew Research Center study shows the state of Tennessee is ranked 40th nationally in voter registration rate and has the lowest turnout rate, which has prompted many organizations to encourage and express the importance of voting and registering.
The Student Government Association will honor the holiday by encouraging students to register on GoVoteTN.com, which is a convenient online voter registration system.
SGA will not have a voter registration drive for the special day, but they will have one next month.
“Our voter registration drive will take place from Oct. 2 to 4, and we will have tables set up across campus to help students register to vote,” Drew Gilmore, SGA president, said.
The student organization hosts registration drives every year and registered over 350 students last fall.
Gilmore said voting is a civic responsibility, so the organization is doing everything they can to help students quickly and efficiently register and exercise their right.
“Registering to vote is one of the steps that citizens have to take to be able to vote,” Gilmore said. “Without completing this process, citizens are unable to vote on Election Day, and every citizen over the age of 18 should be able to have their voice heard by voting.”
Gilmore says he hopes SGA can get a large number of students registered, so they are eligible to have their voice heard in the next election.
The Shelby County Election Commission is another organization that assists with the voter registration process and does this by helping citizens during the entire month of September.
Last year, Shelby County Election Commissioner Dee Nollner helped people register a week before the national holiday. During last year’s National Registration Day, the commission’s officials invited residents to register or update their voter records, gave attendees free gifts and took their pictures for the online photo campaign.
The commission also urged residents to promote voter registration on social media by printing signs and taking pictures with the hashtag #GoVoteTN.
Students who want to register must have a valid driver’s license or identification card with them and can register on campus at SGA’s drive this October. Registration can also be done downtown at the Election Commission Office, the Operations Office near Shelby Farms or online at GoVoteTN.com.
