It may hard to believe but there are a sizable number of pro-life Americans who are not registered to vote. Generally, voter registration numbers and participation in elections are up according to the United States Census Bureau. But a little over 30% of the citizen voting-age population is not registered to vote. These could be some of your neighbors, friends, or even immediate family members.
The state with the lowest percentage (61%) of its voting-age citizens registered to vote was North Carolina, which also happens to be one of the major battleground states in the 2024 presidential race. Not much higher on the list was Florida (63%), where voters will also weigh in on a pro-abortion statewide ballot measure in 2024.
The Census Bureau reported:
Voter turnout for the 2022 U.S. congressional elections was the second highest for a nonpresidential election year since 2000, with 52.2% of the citizen voting-age population participating. And registration rates were the highest for a midterm election since 2000, with 69.1% of the citizen voting-age population registered to vote, up 2.2 percentage points from 66.9% in 2018.
Let’s do all we can to make sure pro-life individuals are registered to vote and turn out in November (or earlier, by mail or through in-person early voting).
Are you (or do you know) a pro-life young person who is currently 17 years old but will celebrate their 18th birthday on or before Election Day (Tuesday, November 5th 2024)? As long as they are U.S. citizens, they are likely eligible to vote in the 2024 elections.
In 2022, the Census Bureau found that the most common way people registered to vote was at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). About 30% of respondents reported registering at their DMV. You can also begin the process online on National Right to Life’s website: https://www.votervoice.net/NRLC/voterregistration
Did you know that you can hold a voter registration drive at your church? While you cannot tell someone who to vote for, you *can* register new voters at church. That is not among the political activities in which churches are prohibited from participating. This is a fantastic project for a church-based pro-life ministry which wants to get involved in the 2024 elections.
Sometimes, individuals may not readily admit that they are not registered to vote. They may feel shame or embarrassment that they have not registered to vote. This can become a further barrier to getting them registered. Your voter registration drive can circumvent these issues by having all the necessary information together in a packet or folder for the individual to take with them, review, and fill out in the privacy of their home.
Among those who were registered but did not vote in the 2022 elections, the most common answer given for not voting was, “Too busy, conflicting work or school schedule.” In 2024, voting has never been easier. Many states offer options to vote by mail, to vote absentee for any reason, and/or to vote early in person. Whether you vote using one of these options or wait until Election Day itself, your vote counts the same. No one method of voting is preferable to another.
Make a plan to vote as early as you can. In states like Minnesota, Virginia, and South Dakota, voting in the 2024 general election begins in the month of September. Some absentee ballots have already been mailed out in North Carolina! Each state will vary when or if they offer early voting, but it’s not too soon to begin thinking about how you will cast your vote.
Voting is one of the most important things you can do this year to help unborn babies and their mothers who are threatened by abortion. Your vote enables you to be a voice for the voiceless. So, make sure that voice is heard!