Queens, NY – Today, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) celebrated National Voter Registration Day at Queens College. The registration drive is the first in a series of voter registration drives that Rozic will host throughout her district.

Assemblywoman Rozic added, “I am hosting today’s voter registration drive because voting is a right that New Yorkers need to exercise. It is important to elect leaders who care about the same issues as you, whether it’s education, jobs, or women’s equality. I hope today’s efforts will help inspire a higher voter turnout and gives a stronger voice to young Queens voters.”

Voter turnout is historically low among young people and minorities, and especially low in Queens as compared to the rest of New York City. Rozic’s registration drive will boost civic engagement, get new voters excited about voting, and give Queens residents a stronger voice in the electoral process.

Zushye Kestenbaum, President of the Queens College Political Science Club, said: “We are thrilled to be having this voter registration drive in Queens College with Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. We in the Political Science Club greatly value engagement within the community and of course cherish the power of youth in regards to the electoral process and political affairs. As students, we have enormous power to impact the system, and that is what we are all here to do today!”

First started in 2012, National Voter Registration Day is a 50-state unofficial holiday when thousands of organizations and volunteers work to ensure family, friends, and neighbors are registered to vote. Across America, communities are using National Voter Registration Day to celebrate democracy by exercising the right to vote. Every year National Voter Registration Day falls on the fourth Tuesday of September; this year it is September 23, 2014.

Dongchan Kim, President of Korean American Civic Empowerment said, “In a democratic society, registering to vote and actively voting is the first step to guaranteeing transparency in government. We have the ability to choose who will represent us in government and we must make sure that they do their jobs. To make our voices heard, we must vote. It is in our hope that more people will become aware of the importance of participating in our local government through the National Voter Registration Day initiative.”

“Civic participation is crucial to our democratic process,” said Chinese American Voter Association President Jasper Li. “I applaud Assemblywoman Nily Rozic for leading the effort in registering voters and empowering our community. I encourage the Chinese American community to come and register. This is the first step in ensuring a better future.”

Election Day is November 4, 2014 with many state and federal races on the ballot. New York will vote for Governor, 27 members of Congress, 63 Senators, and 150 Assemblymembers, and three ballot initiatives.

Assemblywoman Rozic will also be registering voters in Fresh Meadows, Bayside, and Flushing before the registration deadline of October 10, 2014. For more information, contact Rozic’s office at 718-820-0241.