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Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas kicked off National Voter Registration Day with a press conference and voter registration drive at Central on Sept. 19. Secretary Thomas was joined by Central Provost Dr. Kimberly Kostelis, Central Associate Vice President for Community Engagement and Experiential Learning Dr. Beth Merenstein, Central O’Neill Endowed Chair for the Center for Community Engagement and Social Research Edwin Vargas, Central Student Government Association President Haneen Alkabasi and John Lewis Institute scholar Niya Blizzard-Ireland, who spoke about the importance of voting and civic participation.
“Registering to vote is a rite of passage for many of us, and it’s a crucial early step in our civic lives,” said Secretary Thomas. “Our National Voter Registration Day efforts are focused on not just registering new and younger voters, but also helping those future leaders establish the foundations of a lifetime of robust civic engagement.”
Kostelis added, “Active participation in the voting process is essential to a healthy democracy. By voting, you ensure your country, state, and towns are represented by candidates who reflect your values and share your concerns. The right to vote was not always guaranteed for many people in this country — don’t take it for granted and instead join the national conversation by casting a vote.”
Watch NBC CT's coverage here: https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/secretary-of-the-state-kicks-off-national-voter-registration-day/3107444/
Read a piece by WTNH/News 8 here: https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/national-voter-registration-day-2023-how-to-celebrate-in-ct
Check out the New Britain Herald's coverage here: https://www.newbritainherald.com/news/the-time-is-now-secretary-of-the-…;