As the United States celebrates National Voter Registration Day, social media is abuzz with calls from activists and political leaders for participation in the event. National Voter Registration Dayis observed on the fourth Tuesday of September in the United States to encourage people to participate in the voting process. US President Joe Biden, who issued an Executive Order earlier this year to promote access to voting,  proclaimed September 28, 2021, as National Voter Registration Day. As many as one in four eligible Americans were not registered to vote, according to US Census data from 2020. Nearly 4.5 million people have registered as voters on National Voter Registration Day since it was first observed in 2012, including 1.5 million in 2020 alone. 

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In a statement on September 27, President Joe Biden called on Americans to observe “this day by ensuring they are registered to vote, and thereby prepared to stand up for our democracy and the vitality and integrity of our elections.”

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The National Voter Registration Day reminds Americans of their right and responsibility “to exercise the sacred right to vote and ensure that our voices are heard,” Biden said.

Biden also urged people to visit Vote.gov for more information on how to register to vote.

The National Voter Registration Day has been endorsed by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED), the US Election Assistance Commission (EAC), and the National Association of Election Officials (The Election Center).

National Voter Registration Day seeks to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities to reach tens of thousands of voters who may not register otherwise, according to the event’s website.

“Every year, millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. National Voter Registration Day wants to make sure everyone has the opportunity to vote.”

US Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to a political science class at George Mason University about voting rights on National Voter Registration Day.