The Florida A&M chapter of the NAACP participated in National Voters Registration Day Tuesday morning. The organization positioned its table in front of University Commons along with members of NAACP and volunteers from the local League of Women Voters of Tallahassee.
National Voter Registration is a designated day for volunteers and organizations to put in maximum effort to create pervasive awareness of voter registration opportunities. The day allows the organizations to reach tens of thousands of voters who couldn’t be reached to register to vote.
Asia Wilborn, a senior criminal justice student and president of FAMU’s chapter of the NAACP said it’s important to register to vote. “In 2008, 6 million Americans didn’t vote simply because they missed a registration deadline or didn’t know how to register. In 2012, we want to make sure no one is left out.”
Sir Holloway, a second- year mechanical engineering student from Atlanta, is finally registered to vote and is excited.
“In less than five minutes, by encouraging someone to register, you could have a huge impact on our efforts to build a world that values civil rights, social justice, and equality of opportunity no matter your background,” Holloway said.
Rebecca Sager, the president of the local League of Women Voters of Tallahassee, was also on campus to assist FAMU’s NAACP chapter to register students to vote.
“I enjoy being on the campus of FAMU because it sits in the center of Leon County,” said Sager. One of the things Sager mentioned is in 2008’s election, over 3,500 people in Leon County changed their addresses, but people couldn’t vote because voters can’t update address on the day of elections.
On Oct. 3, FAMU’s NAACP chapter will host a presidential debate social that will include free food and giveaways. The event will be held in Gaither Gym at 8 p.m.
“This campaign is about voters. You cannot expect your voice to be heard if you aren’t registered,” Wilborn said.