NYC Celebrates National Voter Registration Day with Music, Fun, and New Voters

09/25/2018

NYC Votes organized hundreds of voter registration drives across New York City today to celebrate National Voter Registration Day . Working with dozens of non-profit, corporate, and government partners, NYC Votes held more than 500 voter registration drives in all five boroughs. 

Volunteers conducted voter registration drives at every public library, every YMCA facility, and all four Patagonia retail stores in New York City, among other locations. National Voter Registration Day comes just weeks after New Yorkers turned out to the polls in record numbers for the state primary elections on September 13. Turnout among NYC voters in New York's Democratic gubernatorial primary election increased nearly threefold compared to 2014, with more than 560,000 additional votes cast. 

The deadline to register to vote is October 12. Eligible New Yorkers should visit voting.nyc and click "Voter Registration" to download a voter registration form today in order to vote in November.

"The huge increase in voter participation in this month's primaries proves that New Yorkers are excited to vote in 2018 because they know that elections can have an impact on our daily lives," said Onida Coward Mayers, Director of Voter Assistance at the Campaign Finance Board. "We were so happy to work with dozens of partners on National Voter Registration Day to help more New Yorkers join this groundswell by registering to vote."

NYC Votes held its flagship event at Medgar Evers College. Dr. Bob Lee of WBLS Radio, joined NYC Votes to provide live broadcasts from campus. (Due to a forecast of inclement weather, National Voter Registration Day events planned for Brooklyn College with Hot97 were postponed until October 4th.)

“Voter registration is the essential first step on a path to lifelong civic engagement. Our institution’s namesake sacrificed his life so that we could have this right. Out of respect for those who came before us, make it your duty to register today." said Dr. Rudolph F. “Rudy” Crew, President of Medgar Evers College.

“Our libraries have the visibility and the reach to ensure that as many people as possible find the information they need to start the process of voting and being heard,” said Queens Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Moreover, providing people with the means to participate fully in our democracy aligns perfectly with our mission to transform lives and build strong communities.”

“The New York City Department of Probation is proud to partner with community-based organizations and the NYC Campaign Finance Board for a citywide voter registration drive.  We urge people on probation along with every other eligible person aged 18 and over to ensure they are registered to vote in the upcoming November election," states Commissioner Ana M. Bermúdez, New York City Department of Probation. “People on probation have the right to vote, and their civic engagement is crucial for their own success and the strengthening of our communities.”

“Voting is the one time when everyone can make their voice heard. It is a critical way for New Yorkers to connect with and make a difference in our communities,” said Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. “The YMCA reaches more than half a million New Yorkers every year, and we are thrilled to offer voter registration today to boost access to our democracy. We are proud to partner with NYC Votes and other organizations committed to strengthening communities across New York City.”

"Local community boards are the entry point to civic engagement and we are proud to be of service to our East Harlem community and their right to vote for a city that works for everyone," said Darlene Jackson, Community Assistant at Manhattan Community Board 11.

"As community leaders is it our duty to assist in the democratic process and increase participation," said Ischia Bravo, District Manager of Bronx Community Board 7. "Voting is our civic obligation and the essence of our society. We need to ensure our voice, our needs and our rights are being respected by those who represent us."

“The New York Urban League Young Professionals are excited to partner with NYC Votes for National Voter Registration Day. As part of our #BlocktoBallot campaign, a Get Out The Vote (GOTV) outreach and advocacy initiative, we aim to engage eligible voters and ensure everyone has the opportunity to take part in the electoral process,” said Shalima L. McCants, President, New York Urban League Young Professionals.

“National Voter Registration Day is a day where we celebrate democracy and empower our fellow citizens to be involved in deciding the future of their community, city, state and country,” said Muzzy Rosenblatt, CEO and Resident of Bowery Residents' Committee (BRC). “We are proud to partner with NYC Votes and provide New Yorkers the opportunity to register to vote and make their voices heard.”

"Voting is the cornerstone of a democracy. Through voting we have the opportunity to influence our government. On National Voter Registration Day we celebrate our role in our democracy," said Muhammad Sattaur, Outreach Coordinator at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, New York Chapter. 

National Voter Registration Day in New York City would not have been possible without the participation of volunteers from dozens of partners, including:

Advocacy, Community, Corporate, and Membership Organizations:
American Constitution Society (NYLS chapter), Bowery Residents' Committee, Dominicanos USA, Brooklyn Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Greater Queens Chapter of The Links, Inc., League of Women Voters of New York City, Legal Hand Crown Heights, Legal Hand Jamaica, Live on New York, Move Forward Staten Island, NYC Veterans Alliance, New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), New York Urban League Young Professionals, Patagonia, Rockaway Waterfront Alliance, and YMCA of Greater New York.

Public Institutions: 
Brooklyn Public Library, City University of New York (All Campuses), Henry J. Carter Hospital, Manhattan Community Board 11, New York City Administration for Children Services, New York City Department of Probation, New York City Department of Records, New York City Parks Department, New York City Human Resources Administration's Family Independence Admiration Operations, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City Department of Homeless Services, New York City Department of Transportation, New York City Small Business Services, New York Public Library, Office of the City Clerk, and Queens Public Library.

National Pan-Hellenic Organizations:
Alpha Kappa Alpha (Delta Rho Omega), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Bronx Alumnae Chapter), and North Manhattan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Social Action.

Join the conversation on NVRD on social media using the hashtags #NationalVoterRegistrationDay and #NYCVotes.

About NYC Votes
NYC Votes is the nonpartisan voter engagement initiative of the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) and its Voter Assistance Advisory Committee (VAAC). In addition to promoting voter registration, participation, and civic engagement in New York City through its many programs and partnerships, NYC Votes sponsors the city’s official Debate Program and produces the citywide Voter Guide.