When signing the Voting Rights Act in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson called on leaders to register voters and to use the courts if necessary to defend the right.
Today, hundreds of organizations and thousands of volunteers will help hundreds of thousands of people register to vote on National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 17.
National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to celebrating democracy. From fire departments to food pantries, from schools and civic leagues, people around the country help eligible friends, neighbors, seniors, college students, first-time voters and new citizens register to vote. Voters will find many items on the ballot this election season, from the presidency and school board races to city council contests and state legislative elections, to ballot initiatives and more. To have a voice in American democracy and exercise the right that forebears deemed sacred, individuals must register to vote.
To get started, visit the official site: vote.gov. This federal government site helps you register to vote, check your registration status and learn about elections. The federal voter registration form is available in over 20 languages, including Amharic, Yup’ik-Akuzipik, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
Martin Luther King Jr. framed for all of us the critical importance of the right to vote. He said it is “the most powerful instrument ever devised by human beings for breaking down injustice and destroying the terrible walls which imprison people because they are different from others.” Voting can set the agenda for neighborhoods and the nation. Whether concerned about paving a road or protecting civil rights, voting is a way to assert one's voice.
The Justice Department has a team dedicated to ensuring compliance with federal voting rights laws and protecting access to the ballot box. They work to make sure polling places are accessible regardless of skin color, language spoken, military deployment status or disabilities.
The Justice Department regularly deploys poll monitors to seek equal access for all voters, including those with disabilities or limited English proficiency and prevent interference with voting rights.
A key mission of the Justice Department is protecting voters from intimidation or obstruction. If challenges arise while trying to register or vote — whether from public officials or private parties — individuals should report them. Complaints about possible violations of federal voting rights laws can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or by telephone at 1-800-253-3931. More information about voting rights is available on the Justice Department’s website at www.justice.gov/voting. For suspected criminal misconduct contact the FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI; in case of danger call 911.
Si cree que sus derechos civiles o los de otra persona han sido vulnerados, envíe un informe mediante nuestro formulario en línea: Español.
如果您認為自己或他人的民權受到侵犯，請使用我們的線上表格提交報告: 繁體中文
如果您认为您或他人的民事权利受到侵犯，请使用我们的在线表格提交报告: 简体中文
Nếu quý vị tin rằng dân quyền của mình hoặc của người khác đã bị vi phạm, hãy gửi báo cáo bằng cách sử dụng mẫu trực tuyến của chúng tôi: Tiếng Việt
귀하 또는 다른 누군가의 민권이 침해되었다고 믿는 경우 온라인 양식을 이용해 신고서를 제출하십시오: 한국어
Kung naniniwala ka na ang iyong mga karapatang sibil o ng ibang tao ay nalabag magsumite ng ulat gamit ang aming online na pormularyo: Tagalog
Let us work together on Sept. 17 National Voter Registration Day and beyond to ensure access to the ballot for all eligible American citizens by helping members of our communities register today. The nation thrives when eligible Americans exercise their voice in democracy freely casting their ballots.
The path to equal justice runs through the voting booth. The Justice Department will join with you ensuring every eligible voter can follow that route.