Voter registration campaign facts for kids

A voter registration campaign is when a government, political group, or other organization tries to help people sign up to vote. In some countries, the government automatically registers everyone who can vote, so these campaigns aren't needed. But in many places, you have to register first to be able to vote in an election.

A study in 2014 found that these campaigns do help more people register to vote. However, the study also showed that while more people registered in less wealthy areas, more of the newly registered voters actually voted in wealthier areas.

Voting in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, people started needing to register to vote after a law called the Reform Act 1832 was passed. This law took effect for the election in 1832. Since then, only registered voters can cast a ballot. The government always runs campaigns to encourage as many people as possible to register for each election.

Voter Registration in the United States

An October 2008 rally to register voters for Barack Obama's presidential campaign in Philadelphia.

In the United States, groups like political campaigns, political parties, or other organizations often run voter registration drives. They try to sign up people who can vote but haven't registered yet. In almost all U.S. states, you must register to vote in federal, state, or local elections. You also need to be registered to serve on juries and do other civic duties.

Sometimes, these drives are done to help a specific political candidate. They might focus on certain groups of people who are likely to vote for that candidate. Other times, non-political groups run these drives to simply encourage more people to vote, without favoring any specific candidate.

Groups That Help People Register

Many national organizations regularly work to help people register to vote and get involved in elections. Some of these groups include:

• Advancement Project
• Close Up Foundation
• Democrats Abroad
• HeadCount
• League of Women Voters
• Let America Vote
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• Nonprofit VOTE
• Our Time
• Rock the Vote
• Southern Regional Council
• Southwest Voter Registration Education Project
• Student Association for Voter Empowerment
• The Voter Participation Center
• U.S. Vote Foundation
• United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Vote.org
• Voto Latino

Images for kids

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  Sign advertising Voter Registration in Las Cruces, NM (September 2009).