BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
September 17 is national voter registration day, and the focus on campus is, of course, on young voters.
In Alberto Camargo, your College Town neighborhood reporter, at FAMU.
I told you about voter registration efforts at Florida State last week — I visited a registration drive on the hill Tuesday as I track voter registration across all neighborhoods.
"And if you want to know more information regarding the election, you can always scan that QR code."
Engaging young voters is about more than just a cute phrase or funny stickers — though those do help.
"Voting is sexy! You guys have a great one."
FAMU students and faculty from the College of Social Work posted up on The Quad at FAMU to get fellow Rattlers registered — and then pledge to vote on Nov. 5.
"Social work is social justice."
Dr. Kenisha Thomas says engaging young voters is all about, "making sure that when we have these political conversations, we do it in a way that's not intimidating, that makes them feel more relaxed."
Thomas says the goal for the day was to register "about 60, if not 75 which would be a good number."
They met that goal in just a few hours.
It's another example of young voters growing in numbers — and fast.
"I think students are realizing we have the power to swing votes. We are so great in numbers when it comes to college towns and college cities."
The FSU voter event I told you about last week? The organizers tell me they signed 81 students up that day — and have gathered hundreds more in the week since.
I asked the Leon County Supervisor of Elections Office for specific numbers on young voters ages 18-25.
The numbers I got back — over 800 more registered voters since the primary election deadline in July.
It's the largest jump in any age group — and it's not even close.
The 18-25 age group is comfortably the second largest in Leon County behind voters 66 and older.
"Are you excited to vote?"
"Am I?! Oh yes I'm so excited. I will be the first person to be at the poll to vote!"
But it goes beyond just getting them to register to vote.
FAMU fourth-year Lindsey Larose says the conversation has to continue into what each item on the ballot really means, that way —
"We can be politically engaged and be proactive now instead of being reactive when laws and amendments start to affect us and the community."
For students and everyone else in our other neighborhoods, you have less than one month left until the voter registration deadline — that's on Oct. 7.
At FAMU, Alberto Camargo, ABC27.
ORIGINAL STORY
- Tuesday is the 12th anniversary celebration of National Voter Registration Day.
- Leon County's supervisor of elections is working to help all eligible voters participate in our democracy.
- Read the news release below to see what this means for you.
NEWS RELEASE:
Mark S. Earley, Supervisor of Elections for Leon County, announces activities in support of National Voter Registration Day. On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, the Leon County Supervisor of Elections Office will join with thousands of other election officials across the country to take part in the 12th anniversary celebration of National Voter Registration Day, a nonpartisan civic holiday that aims to help all eligible voters participate in our democracy.
The national day of action will involve coordinated field, technology, and media efforts to register voters and raise awareness of state-specific registration policies, deadlines, and voting information.
“Registering to vote is the first step in casting your ballot,” said Supervisor Earley. “I encourage every eligible Leon County resident to register to vote or confirm your registration. That way, you will be Election Ready for the November 5 General Election.”
The deadline to register to vote in time for the General Election is October 7. Eligible residents may register to vote in Florida using any of these methods:
· Online at RegistertoVoteFlorida.gov [registertovoteflorida.gov]
· Mail a voter registration form to PO Box 7357, Tallahassee, FL 32314-7357
· Visit the Leon County Supervisor of Elections Office at 2990-1 Apalachee Parkway
Voters who are already registered can confirm their current information by visiting LeonVotes.gov [leonvotes.gov] and clicking the “Your Voter Info” button. They can use any of the listed voter registration methods to update their address, although signature updates must be completed on a paper form.
To ensure that all Leon County residents are aware of the upcoming voter registration deadline, the Elections Office is conducting a comprehensive voter education campaign. This campaign includes educational postcards sent to all households in Leon County, emails to voters and students, social media messages, and in-person events.
National Voter Registration Day is held each year on a Tuesday in September. Since 2012, over 5 million voters have registered on the holiday. The holiday has been endorsed by the National Association of Secretaries of State, the National Association of State Election Directors, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and the National Association of Election Officials.
Voters with questions are encouraged to contact the Supervisor of Elections Office by email at Vote@LeonVotes.gov, or by phone at (850) 606-8683, Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
