Civic Holidays 2024
Civic Holidays are nonpartisan days of action that strengthen and celebrate democracy. They bring together a variety of organizations and communities in pursuit of an America where everyone participates and votes. Thousands of local, state and national partners helped millions of voters to cast their ballots through creative civic holiday celebrations.
The important dates of 2024 are:
- National Voter Registration Day (NVRD): September 17
- National Voter Education Week (NVEW): October 7-11
- Last day to register to vote for general election: October 15
- Vote Early Day: October 29
- Election Hero Day: November 4
- Election Day: November 5
The tabs below have more information on how libraries can participate. Sign up as a partner at Civic Holidays.
The American Library Association (ALA) announced their Reader. Voter. Ready. Campaign for 2024. Access more information and marketing materials.
National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating our democracy. Since 2012, over 5 million people have registered to vote on the holiday. Every September, volunteers and organizations from all over the country work together in a single day of coordinated field, technology, and media efforts in celebration of NVRD.
NVRD is on September 17th and thousands of groups around the country will be hosting voter registration drives and other events. To find out more about NVRD and how you can participate here in Kansas, go to their website https://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/ and check out the "How You Can Participate" tab above!
Governor Kelly signed a proclamation making September 19th, 2023 Kansas Voter Registration Day. See pictures and proclamation transcript below.
[Signing Ceremony Image from L to R: Ray Walling, State Librarian; Carla Rivas-DAmico, Kansas Hispanic American Affairs Commission; Governor Laura Kelly; Leah Grote, State Library of Kansas Reference Librarian; Stacey Knoell, Kansas African American Affairs Commission; Lissa Staley, Topeka Shawnee County Public Library Outreach Librarian]
State of Kansas Proclamation By the Governor
TO THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS, GREETINGS:
WHEREAS, National Voter Registration Day is a nationwide, nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating our democracy; and
WHEREAS, National Voter Registration Day highlights resources to help local communities locate and share information about registration and participation in the democratic process; and
WHEREAS, National Voter Registration Day supports community work to make people aware of voter registration and participation opportunities so that voters don’t find themselves unable to cast their ballot on election day; and
WHEREAS, data from 2022 shows that while 73% of Kansans were registered to vote, just 57% voted that year; and
WHEREAS, libraries and other community groups are encouraged to participate in National Voter Registration Day by hosting registration drives, planning civic engagement events, and sharing voter registration information on their websites and social media accounts; and
WHEREAS, resources for voter participation for all Kansans including individuals with disabilities, active military, and non-English speakers, are also available through the State Library of Kansas, Kansas libraries and community organizations, and state agencies via their websites, social media, and some on-site locations.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Laura Kelly, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, do hereby proclaim, September 19, 2023 as
Kansas Voter Registration Day
in the state of Kansas and I urge all citizens to join in this observation.
National Voter Education Week (NVEW) is an open-source, nonpartisan voter education campaign held the first week of October that equips voters with the tools and information they need to cast their ballots with confidence. NVEW is a resource hub for leaders of any community and context who want to help their networks make their voices heard. During this week of interactive education, voters learn to find their polling location, understand their ballot, make a plan to vote in person or by mail, and more.
Each day has its own theme, so be sure to check out their website for information on how to complete all 5 steps! https://votereducationweek.org/
Vote Early Day is a nonpartisan movement of media companies, businesses, nonprofits, election administrators, and creatives working to ensure all Americans have the tools to vote early. When Americans vote early, they ensure that last-minute problems will not prevent them from casting their ballots – and help shorten voting lines on Election Day for everyone. But voting early rules – both for in-person and by-mail options – vary widely all over the country, causing confusion and preventing voters from casting their ballots. We’re here to make voting early easier.
To find out how you can vote early and help others vote early, check out their website https://voteearlyday.org/
Election Hero Day is a day were we recognize the immense importance and work of election administration teams, poll workers, and more across the nation. Election workers and volunteers have a tough job. These critical members of our communities work hard to ensure that voters will be able to cast their ballots safely and successfully in 2024 - often working upwards of 20 hour days to make this election possible. Whether a first-time volunteer at a polling location, or a long-time election worker - our community says thank you to our election heroes.
To learn how you can join business leaders, elected officials, nonprofits, and people from around the country in celebrating these heroes of our democracy, go to https://electionheroday.org/
How You Can Celebrate
All libraries and other civically minded organizations in Kansas are encouraged to participate in any or all of these Civic Holidays. All of the Civic Holiday sites offer printable materials, social media images, and tool kits. NVRD and Vote Early Day will send you promotional swag for signing up as a partner! Promoting civic engagement by hosting an event is a great way to reach out to your community and get them involved in our democracy!
All Libraries and Organizations
Host a Registration Drive
- NVRD Webinars: Sign up for upcoming webinars and find recordings of past presentations about voter engagement, social media, nonpartisanship, and more. Find more webinars on Nonprofit Vote's YouTube channel.
- Voter Registration Drive Guide 2022: This guide is provided by the Kansas Secretary of State's office and gives important information about running voter registration drives. NOTE: The deadlines listed are from 2022 and are not accurate for this year's date.
- Conducting Voter Registration Drive in Kansas: The Fair Elections Center also has a handy guide for registration drives.
- Detailed Voter Registration Drive Guide: HeadCount created an in-depth drive guide specifically for reaching students and communities.
- Field Organizing Resources: NVRD has compiled several resources to help you during your registration event.
- Find printable registration forms and computer "Registration Station" posters in the Printable Voter Registration Info tab above. All the Civic Holidays have other communication resources on their websites.
- Vote Riders offers State specific Voter ID Information Cards for free to 501(c)(3) or Other Nonpartisan Nonprofit Organization.
Partner with Local Groups to Increase Voter Engagement
- County Election Officer Information: Find your local Election Office information through this page on the Kansas Secretary of State's website. Working with them can help you understand the requirements for hosting a drive and important dates and deadlines in your county.
- League of Women Voters of Kansas: They have been working in Kansas for over 100 years to inform and encourage Kansans to participate in elections and local government. Contact your local League chapter and see if they want to collaborate on a NVRD event.
Not sure if you want to host a registration drive? You don't have to!
You can simply provide voters with what they need to register. Below are resources you can use in your building and highlight on your website and social media accounts. You can also share any of the other links on this page that meet the needs of your community!
- You can share information about all the holidays on your website and social media accounts!
- State Library of Kansas Civic Holidays 2024: Link to our webpage to help spread the word to other communities.
- Kansas Vote411: Find registration deadlines and other election information here.
- VoteKansas.gov: Register to vote, find election results, voter information, and everything else you need to know about voting in Kansas.
- List of Resources in Español: This page offers guides to voting in Kansas for Spanish speakers.
- Communications Resources: NVDR has created communication guides along with social media templates and shareable graphics.
- Go to any of the Civic Holiday webpages to find printable materials you can use in your library!
School and Academic Libraries
- Student Serve: Eligible high school students can volunteer to become poll workers to earn class credit. Talk with your teachers and find out more information about the program at Kansas Secretary of State | Volunteer (ks.gov)
- Rock the Vote: "Rock the Vote is the most trusted and effective 501c3 nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to building the political power of young people."
- ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement.
Other Resources
- Nonprofit Vote: "the leading provider of nonpartisan resources to help nonprofits integrate voter engagement into their ongoing activities and services."
Information For Voters
Ready to Register?
- Check to see if you are already registered to vote here: Kansas Secretary of State | VoterView
- Moved recently? Update your Driver's License address online at the Kansas Department of Revenue Motor Vehicles
- If you have recently moved to Kansas, you can schedule an appointment to get your Kansas Driver's License or State ID at the Kansas Division of Vehicles
- Update your voter registration or register for the first time here: Kansas Online Voter Registration
- You don't live in Kansas? No problem! Find voter information for your state on the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (eac.gov) website.
Learn more about Upcoming Elections and the Voting Process
- Kansas Vote411: Find deadlines and other election information here.
- VoteKansas.gov: Register to vote, find election results, voter information, and everything else you need to know about voting in Kansas.
- Kansas school board elections, 2023 - Ballotpedia: Contains links to all school board elections within Ballotpedia's regular coverage scope in this state, which includes all school districts in the 100 largest cities by population, and the 200 largest school districts by student enrollment. Check with your local elections office to see if your school board has any elections this year.
- United States municipal elections, 2023 - Ballotpedia: Contains links to city elections in Topeka and Wichita. Check with your local elections office to see if your city has any elections this year.
- Kansas Voting & Elections Toolkits: An easy-to-use guide to the Kansas voting process.
- News Literacy Project: Watch webinars from the News Literacy Project to learn more about spotting election misinformation and how to debunk it. There are resources for educators to use in their classrooms and for everyone else to use in their daily life.
Other Resources
- Find forms in both English and Spanish for advanced voting applicaitons, Requesting Fee Waiver for Nondriver Identification Card, and other information at Kansas Secretary of State - Forms
- List of Resources in Español: This page offers guides to voting in Kansas for Spanish speakers.
- You can volunteer to work at the polls here: Kansas Secretary of State | Volunteer (ks.gov)
Voters with Disabilities
- A Guide to Voting Accessibility: created in 2016 by the Kansas Secretary of State's office.
- Voting Information: on the Disability Rights Center of Kansas website.
- Voting With a Disability: Breaking Down Barriers to the Ballot: from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
- Resources for Voters with Disabilities: links to information on the United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC) website.
Military and Kansans Abroad
- Uniform and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) allows for overseas voting, or federal services voting, for active duty military and family members and individuals, living abroad. For more information visit: Kansas Secretary of State | Federal Service Voters (ks.gov)
Unhoused Voters
- Know your Voting Rights while Unhoused | ACLU of Kansas (aclukansas.org)
- Step-by-Step Voting Guide for People Experiencing Homelessness: from the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.
Questions
Leah Grote
Reference Librarian
leah.grote@ks.gov
785-296-1472
National Voter Education Week
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