National Voter Registration Day is September 28

September 28 is National Voter Registration Day and the I Have A Dream Foundation of Boulder County, or IHDF, is hosting an event at the Longmont Youth Center.

IDHF is a national nonprofit focused on empowering youth from underserved communities. The Boulder County chapter was founded in 1990, connecting youth to resources to pursue education and career opportunities through both financial and social means.

“We’re hosting this event to get information out to our communities, to ensure that they feel informed and they feel engaged on the voter registration process,” said Dr. Perla Delgado, CEO of the Boulder County IHDF.

Delgado called voting access and voter registration a non-partisan issue and participating in National Voter Registration Day is an opportunity to encourage civic engagement and the importance of voting in all elections at all levels local or national. The Longmont event is organized by IHDF in collaboration with Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center, Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Office and the Longmont Youth Center. 

The Nov. 2 general election will include ballot propositions and amendments from the state of Colorado, ballot initiatives for local municipalities and local governmental elections, such as Longmont’s mayoral and city council seats.

“We want our community to be informed about the power of the vote, regardless of which side of the issues you’re on,” Delgado said. “Your vote is both a power and a privilege.”

Representatives from IDHF and Boulder County will be on site at the Longmont Youth Center to help people sign up to vote and answer any questions on the registration process, as well as connect voters to resources on ballot issues and candidates. Boulder County Commissioner Marta Loachamin will also be in attendance to speak on the power of civic engagement and Boulder County’s commitment to voter access and fair elections.

“We hope youth will hear the message and be engaged. They are our future, and it’s such a cliche to say, but they are our future,” Delgado said. “Our commitment as a nonprofit that serves the youth in our community is that they feel their experiences are valid and seen, and that they have a place in the future of our community.”

The Longmont voter registration event on Sept. 28 will take place from 5-6 p.m. at the Longmont Youth Center located at 1050 Lashley Street. Residents of the state of Colorado can also register to vote online or through their local county clerk’s office. Voter registration in Colorado is allowed through Election Day, though mail ballots will be sent directly to any residents registered to vote before Oct. 8.