A Day of Voting, Voice & Visibility—Past and Present
(Hartford, CT) — The Connecticut Democracy Center, in partnership with the University of Connecticut and 100% Democracy, will host National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Connecticut’s Old State House. All activities are free and open to the public.
The event invites the public to register to vote, confirm voter status, and take part in a day of conversation and community. Highlights include:
- Roundtable Discussion (11:15 a.m.–1:05 p.m.): “Voting, Voice, and Visibility” with Miles Rapoport, former Secretary of the State and Executive Director of 100% Democracy, former State Representative Evelyn Mantilla, and Mary Janicki, former Executive Director of the Office of Legislative Research.
- Experience Connecticut’s Old State House and Barriers, Breakthroughs & Ballots: The Right to Vote in Connecticut (1:30 p.m.): Explore the evolution of voting rights in Connecticut, from the 1818 Constitution to 20th-century suffrage and civil rights milestones.
- Old State House Farmers Market (10am to 2 pm): Fresh produce and Connecticut-made goods in the Main Street Courtyard from 10 am to 2 pm.
“This national historic site is proud to stand beside thousands of national, state and local organizations that serve as a driving force behind National Voter Registration Day,” says Sally Whipple, Executive Director of Connecticut’s Old State House. “Our mission is to get every eligible Connecticut resident registered before their next trip to the ballot box in November.” National Voter Registration Day serves as a civic rallying cry to raise awareness of the need to ensure every American is #VoteReady to take part in often forgotten “off-year elections that shape the future of communities across the United States.
Unfortunately, every year, millions of eligible voters are unable to cast a ballot because of frustrating stumbling blocks like missed deadlines, outdated information, easily fixable paperwork problems.
By hosting National Voter Registration Day, the Connecticut Democracy Center aims to circumvent that vicious cycle that turns unregistered citizens into non-voters who, after being ignored by political campaigns, become disillusioned by the electoral process. Essential questions, such as law enforcement, school curricula, housing policies, public safety, tax rates, and more, are all decided by local elections. Encouraging folks to register and vote allows Connecticut residents to exert control over the political process that impacts their lives daily.
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The Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC) provides people of all ages with a lifetime pathway to active citizenship and the tools to take civic action in their communities. With a broad range of initiatives including The Connecticut Network (CT-N), Connecticut’s Old State House, Connecticut History Day, Connecticut’s Kid Governor®, The Connecticut Democracy Center Debate Tournament, and We The People: The Citizen and The Constitution, The CTDC envisions a society where everyone is empowered to participate in our democracy. Learn more by visiting ctdemocracycenter.org and engaging on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.