FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2013
Contact: Melissa Couture
207-626-8400

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap Recognizes September 24, 2013 as National Voter Registration Day

National Voter Registration Day is part of National Voter Registration Month, established by the NASS to promote increased awareness for voter registration requirements

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AUGUSTA –Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap today joins fellow members of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) in reminding citizens that September 24, 2013 is National Voter Registration Day.  Secretary Dunlap is working with Maine’s local election administrators to make the State’s eligible voters aware of registration deadlines and requirements for the November 5, 2013 statewide Referendum Election, as well as promoting State resources to help with the registration process.

"Now is the time to get registered to vote," said Dunlap who is currently serving as the Administrative Codes and Rules Liaison of NASS. “It’s a quick, simple process and will ensure that you are on the voter list in your town should you wish to cast an absentee ballot this November.”

In Maine you can register to vote in person at your town office or city hall up to and including, Election Day. If you want to register to vote by mail or through a voter registration drive, the cut-off date is the close of business on the 21st day before the election. That date is Tuesday, October 15, 2013 for the upcoming Referendum Election.

For more information on voter registration in Maine, please see the State of Maine Voter Guide at: http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voterguide.html.

NASS established September as National Voter Registration Month to encourage voter participation and increase awareness of state requirements and deadlines for voting. According to the federal government, states reported receiving more than 62.5 million voter registration application forms during the 2012 presidential election cycle, with nearly 24 million applications from new voters who were not previously registered.  Currently, an estimated 10.6% of American citizens of voting age (18 years or older) are eligible but not yet registered to vote.

?In Maine we?re fortunate to lead the nation in the percentage of eligible citizens who are registered to vote in our elections,? said Dunlap. ?But, we can always do better.? Our goal is that every eligible citizen registers and participates in our elections.?

For information on National Voter Registration Day Events please go to: http://www.nationalvoterregistrationday.org/register-to-vote.