Voting is the lifeblood of a democracy, but voter registration is where the civic heartbeat begins. Founded in 2012, National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan, nationwide effort held every September to ensure every eligible American can make their voice heard on Election Day. With just under 75% of the voting-age population registered during the 2024 presidential election, voter registration remains a critical issue. On National Voter Registration Day in 2025, 300,000 people registered to vote across the country—a direct result of collaborative efforts by thousands of nonprofits, businesses, local governments, and grassroots organizers.

While public libraries remain the classic anchor for checking status and filling out forms, cities across the country have gotten creative in helping turn registration into a community-wide celebration. Here are examples from three states:

• North Miami, FL: The City Clerk’s Office transformed National Voter Registration Day into a Civics Fair, creating a family-oriented event that brought residents together at the Scott Galvin Community Center to learn about civic participation, register to vote, and have access to multiple city vendors in one place.
• Madison, WI: The City Clerk’s Office hosted a weeklong, citywide campaign, partnering with libraries, UW–Madison, the Urban League, and community organizations to bring registration opportunities into neighborhood spaces and community events.
• Inglewood, CA: The City Clerk’s Office hosted “Votechella: Groove the Vote,” a festival at City Hall that paired voter registration and civic education with music, food, entertainment, vendors, and giveaways—making the act of registering feel more like a community celebration than a government transaction.

Also a reminder that National Voters Education Week is October 5-9, 2026. This week builds upon momentum from National Voter Registration Day, but evolves emphasis to equipping voters with information and resources to cast their ballots with confidence. You may find inspiration in an innovative effort by Rochester, NY, which last year brought voter preparation into community spaces through self-serve registration stations and voting-machine demonstrations, while encouraging 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register so they are automatically added to the voter rolls when they turn 18. By turning public spaces into accessible civic hubs, municipal leaders can foster a strong culture of participation that engages today’s voters while building a pipeline for the next generation.