September 16th is National Voter Registration Day! Just because Broward County isn't holding an election this fall doesn't mean we should ignore this day. Special elections can arise at any time. For example, an elected official may resign, die, or be recalled, which usually requires a special election to replace them. Get ready to vote!

 

Every year, millions of Americans are unable to vote because they miss the registration deadline, haven't updated their registration information, or simply don't know how. Voters need to register or update their registration for reasons such as moving, turning 18, obtaining citizenship, or changing their name.

 

In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, one in four eligible voters was not registered to vote or didn't know if they were registered, and more than 650,000 non-voters specifically cited a registration issue as a reason for not casting a ballot.

 

A 2020 Knight Foundation study found that more than one in four unregistered voters (27%) reported not being registered because they didn't know how, kept forgetting, lacked time, were too busy, or had recently moved. Among unregistered voters between the ages of 18 and 24, this percentage was even higher: 42%.

 

There are also a large number of citizens (approximately 200,000 in Broward County) who are currently registered to vote in Florida but have not voted in the last two general elections, have not responded to address confirmation notices from the Supervisor of Elections (SOE), or have received a final notice returned to the SOE as undeliverable. This group of "inactive" voters will soon be deemed "ineligible." Their names will be removed from the state voter registry, and they will need to reregister to have their names reinstated.

 

Even if you're not eligible to register to vote, you may know someone who is eligible but hasn't yet. If you're a citizen with a Social Security number and a valid Florida driver's license or ID card, you can probably register to vote online at www.browardvotes.gov . You can also get printed forms at any library.

 

Don't put it off! Voting is your voice, but you can't use it if you're not registered to vote.