DES MOINES– Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate today joins fellow members of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) in reminding citizens that today, September 22, 2015, is National Voter Registration Day.

Secretary Pate is working with Iowa's elected officials, the presidential campaigns and both state parties to encourage participation in elections and promote state resources that are available to help with the registration process in preparation for the 2016 Iowa Caucuses and Presidential Election Cycle. Additionally, Governor Terry Branstad has proclaimed September as Iowa Voter Registration Month and September 22 as Iowa Voter Registration Day.

"I want to do everything possible to increase voter participation in Iowa, while maintaining the integrity of the vote," Secretary Pate said. "The eyes of the nation will be focused on Iowa for our First-in-the-Nation Caucuses. I sincerely hope we have a record turnout on February 1 and the enthusiasm for our electoral process continues through November 2016 and beyond."

There are numerous ways to register to vote in Iowa. You can visit the Secretary of State's website, sos.iowa.gov, and download a voter registration form. Fill it out and mail it to your county auditor's office. Forms are also available at county auditor's offices, DOT offices and public assistance agencies around the state.

There is also a handy voter registration drive toolkit, Voter Registration 101, available on the homepage of the Secretary of State's website. Any organization looking to organize a voter registration drive is welcome to download the toolkit.

Beginning January 1, 2016, Iowans will be able to register to vote online. You can also register at the polls, including Caucus Night, which is February 1, 2016, if you have a valid ID and proof of residence, such as a utility bill.

The nation's Secretaries of State established September as National Voter Registration Month and September 22 as National Voter Registration Day as a non-partisan means of encouraging voter participation and increasing awareness about state requirements and deadlines for voting.

"Secretaries of State are celebrating National Voter Registration Day with a unified call for engagement and participation," said NASS President Tom Schedler, who serves as Louisiana Secretary of State.

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