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400,000 register to vote on National Voter Registration Day

Posted at 10:06 PM, Oct 02, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-02 22:06:08-04

Despite it being an "off year" for federal elections, a grass roots effort to register new voters netted 400,000 citizens to register to vote last week.

According to organizers of the effort, last Tuesday's effort shattered a record for it being an off year by nearly three times.

The drive included more than 4,000 groups nationwide, which used partners such as Facebook, the United Way and the League of Women Voters to assist.

Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leann Rimes, Michelle Obama and Newt Gingrich were among those who encouraged people to register vote.

"We are encouraged by the level of engagement this local election year," said Lindsay Torrico, United Way Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy and National Voter Registration Day Steering Committee member. "We are hopeful that this year's success is a preview of what's to come in 2020."

Although federal elections will not be held this year -- except in three congressional districts due to mid-term vacancies -- many areas will hold local, county and state elections next month.

If you're not yet registered to vote, there is still time to register before next month's elections. For more info on registering to vote, click here .