Rep. Clyde challenges Ohio students to register fellow classmates

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) issued a challenge to Ohio College Democratic chapters each to register 50 students during National Voter Registration Day activities on Tuesday, Sept. 27. This marks the second year Clyde has issued the challenge. Last year’s challenge saw student groups register hundreds during campus registration drives.

“Young voters, students and low-income voters oftentimes have the most trouble staying on the rolls,” said Rep. Clyde. “This challenge is a way to engage young people, register voters and alert Ohioans of the current voter registration requirements so they are not left behind come Election Day.”

Of Ohio’s 8.8 million eligible adults, only 7.5 million are registered voters. As a way to close the registration gap, Clyde introduced House Bill 337 last year to create “Ohio Voter Registration Day” on the fourth Tuesday of every September. The bill will make Ohio an active participant in the National Voter Registration Day, which is celebrated with registration events around the country.

State Rep. Clyde is in her third term in the Ohio House of Representatives. An attorney specializing in voting rights issues and a former election official, she is ranking member on the House committee that handles voting issues in Ohio.