National Voter Registration Day: September 25, 2018
The fourth Tuesday of September is known as National Voter Registration Day. Voting is one privilege in this Nation that many people fail to exercise. Considering the political climate in our country today, and the upcoming midterm elections, it is more important than ever that folks get out and exercise this right. I found some interesting facts on the internet. If you’re not registered to vote, now is the time to do it! Make sure to check out your polling place and deadlines before it’s too late.
Here are some fun historical facts about voting:
1. No idiots, please
Ohio's constitution bans "idiots" from voting according to Article V, Section 6 of the state constitution.
2. George Washington campaigned with booze
During his first legislative run, George Washington spent his campaign budget of 50 pounds on a round of election day drinks for his constituents.
3. Voting, Texas-style
As part of the Texas voter ID process, you can't vote with a student ID but if you show a gun license, you're good to go.
4. Those persevering Utah women
Utah women voters were granted the right in 1870 — but it was revoked by Congress in 1887 — and re-instituted by the state in 1895.
5. You had to pay a tax to vote
Poll taxes, started in the 1890s, legally kept southern African-Americans from voting by making them pay for the right.
3 important facts you should know about voting & what you can do to spread the word:
1. Time to celebrate our democratic heritage
National Voter Registration Day has volunteers out en masse with voter registration activities at school, in the workplace, and in your neighborhoods. For one whole day, volunteers and various organizations collaborate by setting up registration tables, knocking on doors or producing social and mass media awareness campaigns over the importance of registering to vote. National Voter Registration Day makes an all-out effort to register the tens of thousands of Americans who can make a difference at the ballot box.
2. Don't hate—celebrate
National Voter Registration Day discourages political voter rage in favor of voter celebration. Imagine over 10,000 volunteers working together one full day to educate Americans on one of our most precious rights — the right to vote. In 2016, 750,00 voters registered on National Voter Registration Day. With so many world citizens denied this basic right, promoting our core democratic values, voting, should give all Americans something to cheer about on National Voter Registration Day.
3. It educates Americans on voting rights
National Voter Registration Day reminds and educates American on the voter requirements. You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and a current resident of your state. When you see a National Voter Registration Day table or volunteer, you can do more than just register. You can confirm your polling place, update your registration details, or just get information if it all seems a little over your head. Voting — it's all good!
;)
