WHY EARLY REGISTRATION KEY
BLACK CAUCUS IN USA TARGETS 17-YEAR-OLDS TO REGISTER EARLY FOR VOTING
To ensure young Black Americans turn up to vote at the polling venues, Yvette Williams, Chair of the Clark County Black Caucus, sees to it that they are registered early.
The Clark County Black Caucus serves as a forum where members discuss policy issues impacting the African American community in Nevada, engage in the political process, and work together to be a voice for change.
While speaking to 21 international journalists participating in the Foreign Press Centre’s “Democracy is More than Election Day” reporting tour, Ms Williams highlighted the importance of conducting a voter registration drive. “Here in Nevada, we aim to register 17-year-olds. And why do we want to do that? Because we want to catch them early before they leave high school, get them registered, so they’re good to go,” Ms Williams said.
“And then when they turn 18, they’re just ready to vote. So, we educate our students around it. It’s all about education and making sure they know and then making it accessible.”
Pre-registration is an electoral procedure that allows individuals younger than 18 years of age to register to vote, making them eligible to cast a ballot when they reach 18 – the voting age for all state and federal elections.
Typically, a pre-registrant will fill out an application and be added to the voter registration list with a “pending” or “pre-registration” status.
Upon turning 18, the individual is added to the voter registration list and able to cast a ballot.
Ms Williams emphasised the importance of addressing issues that affect its communities and candidates that also focus on these issues.
“We also consider the past policies of candidates and their stance on these issues that are important to us. So, if you’ve held office, we’re scrutinising your record,” she said.
“Some of the issues for us as black Nevadans include employment, the impact of immigration, affordable housing, food security, access to affordable food, and clean water.
“It’s noteworthy that many black individuals are deeply concerned about the environment because we witness environmental injustices where pollution is rampant, and certain neighbourhoods lack access to food and grocery stores. “So, the environment plays a significant role, and many folks are genuinely concerned about it.” In Fiji, in 2022, officials from the Fijian Elections Office (FEO) visited schools to register students who are 18 years old and above.
This was made possible when the school registration drive was launched.