Pulaski County celebrates National Voter Registration Day with Vote Fest event

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – As America celebrates National Voter Registration Day, Pulaski County is hoping to get more people to the polls with its Vote Fest event.

Vote Fest was held in the parking lot of the Pulaski County Clerk’s Office, with volunteers ready to help Arkansans prepare to cast their ballots. Attendees could register for the first time, check their status or even update their voter information, all while enjoying local food and music.

According to recent reports, Arkansas ranks last in the nation for voter turnout, with only 54% of Arkansans voting in the 2020 election. The national average was 65%.

The staff at the clerk’s office said they hope Tuesday’s event will change that and stressed the importance of Arkansans doing their civic duty.

“We want to make sure that we have the correct law officials in office so that they’re making the right decisions for the residents here in Arkansas as well as citizens in America,” community outreach specialist Ternesha Womack said. “We are making sure people are well prepared as well as trying to do fun events to get more younger, you know under 30, to vote.”

In addition to Vote Fest, there were also seven voter pop-up events at all Pulaski County colleges and universities plus Hall High School.

Arkansans still needing to register need to know that they must fill out a paper voter registration application that can be found at county clerk’s offices, DMV offices or public libraries, among other locations.

Voters can also request a form through the mail or print one out from the secretary of state’s website , but registration cannot be done online. The deadline to register for this upcoming election is Oct. 7.

For a full list of voter requirements as well as other commonly asked questions about voting in the Natural State, head to SOS.Arkansas.gov/Elections .

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