Sept. 28 is National Voter Registration Day, a nonpartisan civic holiday that is observed to celebrate our democracy.

During this time, we at the Daily Eastern News want to take this time to emphasize the importance of registering to vote.

According to U.S. Census data from 2020, one in four Americans are eligible, but not registered, to vote. In order to make sure our democracy runs efficiently, it is important to register to vote.

Voting is one important way that we can use our voices and participate in our democracy. We can decide the government officials who will be representing us, our concerns and our ideas.

Our ability to vote goes beyond deciding who our presidents and representatives will be. We can also vote on issues we care about, voting on issues that affect housing, education, employment, healthcare and more.

Voting is also an opportunity to use our voice to help those who can’t. With your vote, you have the power to stand up for the issues that could impact future generations, generations of citizens who are not able to vote yet.

Though registering to vote itself is an important act, when election time rolls around, it is important to be well-informed on the candidates and issues you are voting on.

Also, it is important to vote on elections at all levels: primary, general and local. With our vote, we can help make the changes that will affect nationwide, but also close to home.

You can register to vote in Illinois online at https://ova.elections.il.gov.