FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2026
Contact: press@nationalvoterregistrationday.org
The Official First Look: National Voter Registration Day Powers 3,500+ Events Nationwide
As the campaign works with Secretaries of State to finalize the official 2026 voter-registration count, confirmed highlights show a national celebration built and powered by communities
Boston, MA—The official results are still being counted, but the first confirmed highlights are in: National Voter Registration Day 2026 brought communities together on September 15 through more than 3,500 events nationwide.
Across the country, more than 3,500 Community Partners helped eligible Americans register to vote, check their registration, and prepare for the 2026 midterm elections. More than 140 Premier Partners supported the effort, forming one of the country’s broadest nonpartisan civic coalitions.
National Voter Registration Day is now working with Secretaries of State, third-party technology platforms, election officials, and Community Partners to collect and verify voter-registration data from across the country. The campaign expects to release the official national registration total by September 22.
“National Voter Registration Day belongs to the communities that bring it to life,” said Chyann Sapp, Campaign Director for National Voter Registration Day. “Across more than 3,500 events, our partners turned voter registration into something welcoming, joyful, and rooted in connection. That is what ‘Built by Us. Powered by Us.’ looks like in action. We are deeply grateful to every partner who helped their community get ready for this year’s midterm elections.”
- One night before the civic holiday, Emmy Award-winning actor and host Alan Cumming used The Traitors’ acceptance speech at the 78th Emmy Awards to urge Americans to register to vote.
- On National Voter Registration Day itself, Google marked the occasion with a voter-registration-themed Doodle, while Facebook and Instagram displayed voter-registration reminders to users.
- Celebrities including Sabrina Carpenter, Kerry Washington, and Bette Midler shared messages about the day, helping voter-registration reminders reach even more people.
- The sports world showed up, too. The NBA and NFL amplified National Voter Registration Day through official channels, as did teams from Philadelphia 76ers to the Chicago Bears. The NBA also rejoined the campaign as a 2026 financial sponsor.
- In New York City, longtime partner HeadCount hosted its annual National Voter Registration Day block party in Washington Square Park, bringing voter registration into one of the city’s most recognizable public gathering places. Tony’s Chocolonely joined the celebration with special holiday-themed chocolate.
- Ben & Jerry’s and the League of Women Voters also marked the day with a voter-registration-themed ice cream activation and a message reminding audiences that registering to vote is always in style.
- Online, National Voter Registration Day and Feel Good Action hosted an Instagram Live conversation focused on voter registration and helping audiences get #VoteReady. The campaign also hosted a live Reddit Ask Me Anything, giving members of the public an opportunity to ask questions about registering, updating their information, and preparing for the 2026 elections.
- Project HOPE invited students at 15 community colleges nationwide to explore civic participation through collaborative public art. Created with Mattie, the installations transformed campus spaces around the phrases “HOPE,” “LOVE,” “JOY,” “CARE IS A VERB,” and “VOTE IS A VERB.” Students and community members added flocks of doves to the temporary installations while accessing voter-registration resources on campus.
- At Los Angeles City College, individual ivory doves came together to form a flock before more than a dozen live doves were released at the close of the Project Hope event.. Project HOPE was supported by the Levi Strauss Foundation, with campus microgrants provided separately by Levi Strauss & Co.
Election officials remain central to both National Voter Registration Day and the process of establishing its official national impact. The civic holiday is endorsed by the National Association of Secretaries of State, the National Association of State Election Directors, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and the National Association of Election Officials.
“Every eligible voter should have the information and opportunity they need to participate,” said Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, Democratic co-chair of National Voter Registration Day. “National Voter Registration Day brings election officials and community organizations together to reach people where they are, answer their questions and help them take that important first step.”
“Registering to vote is the first step toward making your voice heard,” said Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams, Republican co-chair of National Voter Registration Day. “Whether you recently became eligible, moved, changed your name or simply want to make sure your information is current, today is a good day to check your registration and get ready for the election ahead.”
The campaign additionally recognizes its more than 140 Premier Partners and its 2026 financial sponsors: Carnegie Corporation of New York, CAA Foundation, Civic Responsibility Project, Google, Levi Strauss & Co., Levi Strauss Foundation, Microsoft, the National Basketball Association, Paramount Skydance Corporation, PayPal, and Snap Inc.
“Built by Us. Powered by Us.” was more than the 2026 campaign theme. It described the day itself: thousands of organizations and individuals contributing their time, creativity, platforms, and trusted community relationships to strengthen civic participation.
National Voter Registration Day will release its official 2026 voter-registration results by September 23, 2026.
For question or comment, for additional media assets, or to set up an interview with a spokesperson, please contact Communications Director Kelsea Pym, press@nationalvoterregistrationday.org.
About National Voter Registration Day: National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to helping every eligible American register to vote. Since 2012, its partners have helped more than six million Americans register or update their voter registrations. The holiday is made possible by thousands of partners across a diverse array of industries and communities.
Financial sponsors of the 2026 holiday include Carnegie Corporation of New York, CAA Foundation, Civic Responsibility Project, Google, Levi Strauss & Co., Levi Strauss Foundation, Microsoft, the National Basketball Association, Paramount Skydance Corporation, PayPal and Snap Inc. National Voter Registration Day is managed by Nonprofit VOTE.