UIS helps educate voters on first-ever National Voter Registration Day

WHAT: Several student organizations at the University of Illinois Springfield are sponsoring a voter registration drive and educational events on campus to mark the first-ever National Voter Registration Day.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 from 4 to 6 p.m.

WHERE: PAC Food Emporium (due to rain)

DETAILS: Register to vote, learn more about election issues, and the importance of voting from UIS professors and candidates. Speakers for the event include UIS global studies professor Steve Schwark, who conducts research on American foreign policy, and UIS emeritus professor of political science Kent Redfield, interim director of the Institute for Legislative Studies. Students have also invited 13th U.S. Congressional District candidates Dr. David Gill and Rodney Davis to speak at the event.

In 2008, six million Americans didn't vote because they missed a registration deadline or didn’t know how to register. The purpose of National Voter Registration Day is to make sure no one is left out.

On September 25, volunteers and organizations from all over the country will "hit the streets" for National Voter Registration Day. This single day of coordinated field, technology, and media efforts will create pervasive awareness of voter registration opportunities nationwide.

The UIS event is being sponsored by the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center, Leadership for Life, Student Government Association, Black Male Collegiate Society, College Democrats, and College Republicans. The event will feature free food and music.

For more information, contact Mark Dochterman, director of the UIS Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center at 217/206-8448 or mdoch2@uis.edu. More information on the national event can be found at http://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/.