Voting is one of the most basic civil actions Americans can take. Our ability to vote in an election is a right we should not take for granted, but too often many do. It is a privilege that comes with responsibility. With our votes, we shape the future of our country.

September 27, 2016, is National Voter Registration Day. On this day, volunteers and organizations will be out in force in order to reach out to thousands of voters and citizens about the importance of voting and helping people register to vote. So check out the National Voter Registration Day website and see how you can help other citizens register.

But the effort to Get Out the Vote doesn’t end with National Voter Registration Day. Here are some more ways you can help:

• Make sure your registration record is up-to-date. If you moved recently, have you updated your record?
• Know where your polling location is. Has it been moved due to building closings or expected crowds?
• Help someone get to the polls on Election Day. Many people want to vote, but have trouble getting to the polling locations. Do you know someone who could use a lift?
• If your jurisdiction has early in-person voting, help someone get there to vote early.
• Help someone request an absentee ballot when it is not possible for them to make it to polls. And help them make sure it is mailed in time to count.
• Work the polls. Help other voters exercise their rights.
• Spread the word about voting importance on social media. The more people talk about it, the more people will know about it.

For more information on registering and voting, check out the National Voter Registration Day website.

And always remember to find out the answers to these questions:

• By when do you have to register?
• By when do you have to request an absentee ballot?
• Is there early in-person voting, and if so, where?
• When do the polls open and close?
• What candidates and issues are on the ballot?

The answers can be found on the website of your secretary of state’s office and local elections office.

#KeepUSstrong! #VoterRegistrationDay