Por qué el Día Nacional del Registro de Votantes en NYC es importante

Por qué el Día Nacional del Registro de Votantes en NYC es importante

National Voter Registration Day 2024 (official website)  gives us a chance to reflect on the fact that NYC currently has over 5 million registered voters. That’s a lot. In fact, it’s more than some of the country's other big cities including Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia.  Nearly 4 out of every 5 city residents are registered and eligible to cast their ballot. We’ve come a long way. But in a city of over 8 million, it’s still not enough. 

Hay comunidades en toda la Ciudad de Nueva York que necesitan más acceso a recursos y apoyo que sólo el voto y otras formas de participación cívica pueden ofrecer. El primer paso para llegar a ellas es registrar a votantes. Con las elecciones presidenciales a la vuelta de la esquina, la conversación nacional ha cambiado para resaltar los amplios temas que afectan a los estadounidenses más allá de los 5 condados. 

But we can’t forget about what’s happening in our own city. Voting is the simplest way to be part of changing NYC for the better. The first way to create that change is to get more New Yorkers registered to vote.

¿Cuándo es el Día Nacional del Registro de Votantes de 2024?

September 17, 2024 is National Voter Registration Day. It’s  America’s largest nonpartisan civic holiday.  Held on a Tuesday in September every year since its inception in 2012, organizations and public figures have championed the cause, adding their voices to the thousands of participants encouraging voter registration in events nationwide  throughout the day.

How to Register to Vote in NYC this NVRD

Ojalá todo en Nueva York fuera tan fácil como registrarse para votar. 

You can register to vote online with NYC Votes and TurboVote. It takes less than 5 minutes to register to vote in NYC! 

You can also complete a voter registration form and mail it to the Board of Elections or visit your local office to register in person.

Or join one of the many 2024 National Voter Registration Day events happening around the city, and ask a volunteer to help you get registered!

Registering to vote is the first step in engaging with your city meaningfully. It empowers you to influence New York City’s elected leaders on the issues that really matter to you: the cost of rent, access to basic resources, effective public transportation, and education. 

If you’re having any trouble getting registered, NYC Votes is here to help!

Plazo del registro de votantes de NYC de 2024

We all have a lot going on, and election dates in NYC can be easy to lose track of, but here's one to remember: the deadline to register to vote in New York City is October 26, 2024. 

The first day of early voting in NYC is also the last day to register to vote in the upcoming 2024 election.

Pero una vez que se registre para votar, será una cosa menos en la que pensar antes de emitir su papeleta.

¿Qué es el Día Nacional del Registro de Votantes?

El Día Nacional del Registro de Votantes (NVRD) es un llamado nacional a la acción, con campañas para registrar a votantes y eventos para aumentar el registro de votantes y la participación en todo el condado. Su objetivo es garantizar que todos los ciudadanos elegibles puedan participar en una parte fundamental de nuestra democracia.  El registro de votantes es el inicio de ese proceso. 

NVRD was established in 2012 by a coalition of non-profit organizations and civic groups to address gaps in voter registration and to encourage civic engagement. About 2000 civic organizations around the country helped launch the first National Voter Registration Day. Notable figures in sports, entertainment, and politics added their voices to the thousands of volunteers working on the ground to encourage voter registration. The nationwide coalition shares graphics for social media posts, field resources, logo merchandise, and coordinates fundraising and volunteer efforts.

Aunque el NRVD es un esfuerzo coordinado por muchas organizaciones de todo el país, grupos locales como NYC Votes lideran la iniciativa en nuestras propias comunidades para escuchar directamente a los votantes y compartir recursos específicos de la Ciudad de Nueva York.

Maneras de participar en el Día Nacional del Registro de Votantes de NYC en 2024

Ya sea que esté registrado o simplemente quiera ayudar a las personas que conoce, hay muchas maneras de participar. 

You can help by organizing or participating in local voter registration drives at community centers, libraries, and schools. Or join us at one of our NYC Votes volunteer events! 

Gently nudging your neighbors and friends, and family to check their voter registration status or register to vote can’t hurt either. 

Collaborating with local organizations that focus on voter education and outreach (like us!)  can help ensure more people are informed about their voting rights.

A History of Voting in NYC

In honor of National Voter Registration Day this year, let’s take a closer look at the history of voting in New York City.

1. Primera alerta electoral en la ciudad
   NYC celebró sus primeras elecciones municipales en 1665, y los ciudadanos votaron por los líderes locales, incluyendo al alcalde.
2. La Ley de derecho al voto de 1965
   Esta ley federal tuvo un impacto significativo en NYC, específicamente en Brooklyn, el Bronx, y Manhattan, y contribuyó a mejorar los índices de registro de votantes, que en aquel momento eran muy bajos.
3. El voto de los jóvenes
   En 1971, la edad para votar en Nueva York pasó de 21 a 18 años.
4. ¡Hola, somos nosotros!
   En 1988, se formó la Junta de Financiamiento de Campañas Electorales (Campaign Finance Board) para eliminar las barreras a la participación en las elecciones y fomentar la transparencia en la política de la ciudad. ¡Hemos estado peleando una buena batalla desde entonces!

As November approaches, New Yorkers have an opportunity to shape our future. Voting is not just a right. It’s a powerful tool for driving change on the issues that matter most to this city and holding our elected leaders accountable to our communities. By first registering and then making a plan to vote in the upcoming election, you help ensure that our values are represented by those who represent us. Let’s put that registration to good use and get every registered NYC voter to the polls this November!