In an effort to encourage voter registration among unregistered individuals, former “Will & Grace” cast members Debra Messing, Eric McCormick, and Sean Hayes have collaborated on a public-service announcement. To support this cause, viewers are encouraged to text the word “26797”. Coincidentally, this initiative aligns with Register a Friend Day, a day aimed at encouraging individuals to register their friends and acquaintances to vote.
The USA.gov website, operated by the federal government, provides a comprehensive guide on how to register to vote.
Debra Messing has consistently shown her commitment to increase voter turnout. In the 2016 presidential election, she actively supported Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and has since lent her name to numerous get-out-the-vote efforts.
Studies have indicated that receiving a reminder from a friend doubles an individual’s likelihood of voting. Mandana Dayani, the co-founder of I Am a Voter and a lawyer of Iranian descent, emphasized this during an MSNBC interview on Monday. Additionally, research conducted by Columbia University in October 2020 demonstrated a positive impact on voter turnout, albeit relatively modest.
It is important to note that I Am a Voter is a nonpartisan initiative, as stated by its organizers. InfluenceWatch adds the word “ostensibly” when referring to its nonpartisan nature.
Let’s join hands and make our voices heard by registering ourselves and motivating others to do the same. Together, we can strengthen our democracy.
National Voter Registration Day: Promoting Civic Unity
Since 2012, National Voter Registration Day has been celebrated every September. This significant day has witnessed more than 5 million voters registering to vote across all 50 states, with 1.5 million registrations in 2020 alone. It serves as a symbol of “civic unity,” an opportunity where Americans can set aside their differences and revel in the rights, responsibilities, and shared opportunities that democracy offers.
Partners and Sponsors
Several esteemed companies have endorsed and supported National Voter Registration Day, including:
- Aflac
- Target
- Bayer
- Microsoft
- Univision
- Comedy Central
- VH1
- Spotify
- iHeart Media
- Snap
- Levi Strauss
- Patagonia
The backing and collaboration of these companies have contributed to the success of this nationwide event. Additionally, various influential organizations, such as the American Library Association, the NBA, the National Urban League, the National Association of Realtors, and the United Way, have joined forces to advocate for voter registration.
Bridging the Gap
Despite the growing interest in elections and voter turnout in recent years, the Pew Research Center discovered an alarming statistic: one in three eligible U.S. voters remains unregistered. National Voter Registration Day aims to bridge this gap by raising awareness and emphasizing the importance of active participation in the democratic process.
Let us embrace this annual celebration as an opportunity to not only register ourselves but also encourage others to exercise their right to vote. Together, we can strengthen our democracy and ensure that every voice is heard.
Key Words (November 2018)
Midterm voter turnout in the United States reached its highest level in a century. However, it is important to note that the United States has not yet reached the same level of political engagement as Australia.