Celebrate Teens Voter Registration Day

Today, Tuesday, September 10, is the inaugural National Teens Voter Registration Day! It is a day dedicated to encouraging and empowering our youth to participate in the democratic process. This monumental occasion is the brainchild of LWV Chicago’s very own Tina Brady-Pettis, whose ingenuity, dedication, and leadership made National Teens Voter Registration Day a reality. Tina conceptualized and spearheaded this day, and it is with great pride that we celebrate both her remarkable achievement and thank her for her ongoing commitment to the League’s mission as a member of our board.

National Teens Voter Registration Day stemmed from Tina’s recognition that teenagers today, more than ever, need clear guidance on how to register, why their voices matter, and how to make informed decisions at the polls. As we all know, civic participation starts with education, and Tina has been a tireless advocate for ensuring young people are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to take that first important step toward lifelong civic engagement.

The need for this day could not be more urgent. A recent study by Tufts University’s CIRCLE research center shows that non-college youth in particular lack the necessary resources and opportunities to engage fully in civic life. The numbers speak for themselves: only 23% of youth aged 18-29 voted in the 2022 midterms. Through National Teens Voter Registration Day, we hope to help bridge that gap by providing the information and motivation teenagers need to register to vote, and to ultimately cast their votes.

As we celebrate this national milestone, I also want to highlight the League’s August Chicago in Focus event, “Teach Me Why and How to Vote, Then I’ll Vote,” which was a fantastic success. A special thanks to the presenter, June Park, whose insightful contributions to youth voter education dovetail perfectly with the goals of National Teens Voter Registration Day; we are so grateful for her expertise and passion.

I encourage all of you to take this opportunity to spread the word about National Teens Voter Registration Day and continue supporting the vital work that League members are doing to advance youth voting in Chicago and beyond.

Jane Ruby
LWV Chicago President