New York, NY, USA: During voter registration drives this year, UNITED SIKHS volunteers recorded an increase in registering voters, as well as peaked interest in today’s historic election. The increase mirrors the rise in minority voter registration recorded by many across the country, and voters are expected to turn out in record numbers this year. UNITED SIKHS urges all Americans to exercise their right to vote on this historic Election Day.

Volunteers participating in the drives focused on registering voters and educating community members about their right to vote as citizens. Concentrating on reaching out to the community through two gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship), the Sikh Center of New York and the Queens’ Village Sikh Center on September 28th and October 4th respectively, volunteers registered and educated many congregants about the importance of voting. Additionally, volunteers explained the benefits of becoming a citizen to some immigrants eligible to apply for citizenship, but who did not understand the importance of participating in the democratic process. Commenting on the registration efforts, Joga Singh, a veteran volunteer with UNITED SIKHS stated, “Community members are exhibiting particular interest in the elections this year, due to increased media attention, foreign policy, and also the current economic crisis. It was inspiring to observe Sikh American citizens express concern about voting, and a great feeling to assist them by helping with their registration.”

UNITED SIKHS urged all those registering to remember that they had the right to choose whomever they wished to vote for, and stressed the importance of participating in the democratic process. A Sikh community member and Bellerose resident, Satinderpal Singh, commented “It was a good idea to have UNITED SIKHS’ volunteers help us through the registration process, and it helped make us all understand the importance of our vote.” UNITED SIKHS would like to thank all gurdwara managements in the United States who held voter registration drives and educated their congregants about the importance of voting.