The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Sept. 16, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
There are an estimated 81 Million Americans who are NOT registered to vote. If you’re one of them, National Voter Registration Day, Tuesday, September 17th, is a great time to get it done at the municipal election office or voter registration drive in your community.
A study by the Knight Foundation found nonvoters cite many reasons for not registering, among them: “My vote doesn’t matter, doesn’t count, or won’t make a difference”; “I don’t know how” or “It’s too complicated”; “I keep forgetting to register”; and “I’m too busy.”
But there are even MORE reasons to register and vote. The stakes in the Nov. 5th Presidential election are critically important, but so is your voice on how the local taxes you pay are spent by your local officials, the quality of your schools, and whether your roads get fixed.
To register, you’ll need to prove that you’re 18 and a resident of your community, usually with a driver’s license or eligible photo ID. Second, you’ll need to prove where you live. Utility bills, apartment leases, car registrations, property tax bills, or bank statements are often allowable. Third, you’ll need to prove you’re a citizen of the U.S., which means showing a birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, or naturalization papers.
Rules vary by state, so visit NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org, AmericanDemocracyMinute.org, or your local election office. Don’t wait; get it done. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
National Voter Registration Day – Register to Vote/Check Registration
National Voter Registration Day – Trusted Voting Resources
Knight Foundation – Summary – The 100 Million Project : The Untold Story of American Non-Voters
Knight Foundation – Full Report – The 100 Million Project : The Untold Story of American Non-Voters
Knight Foundation – Slide Presentation – The 100 Million Project : The Untold Story of American Non-Voters
Pew Research – (2017) Why Are Millions of Citizens Not Registered to Vote?
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
- USA Vote Foundation – Registration, Eligibility, State Election Office Links
- Vote.Gov – Register to Vote in Your State
- Vote.Org – Check Your Registration to Vote
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#Democracy #DemocracyNews #VoteReady #VoterRegistration #VoterRegistrationDay