Naturalization Ceremonies

 It’s important we remember the struggles so many go through to become what so many are just born into, so that none of us take the right of citizenship—and all the responsibility that entails—for granted. 

This year, in addition to helping register a record number of new voters in 2018, 853 League volunteers dedicated 6,600 hours of their time to inform, assist, and engage with over 47,000 new citizens at the ceremonies nationwide.

After the election, I joined fellow members of the League of Women Voters of DC to register new voters at a naturalization ceremony. It was my first time at one; I was uncertain of what to expect.

A fixture in the voter engagement field for 90+ years, LWVUS works to register and turn out new communities of voters. We aim to expand the electorate and ensure a democracy that reflects our diversity.

More than 225 League of Women Voters affiliates around the country will help register voters as part of this year’s National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 22.

As volunteers of the League of Women Voters of Fairfax (VA) helped new citizens and others register to vote this past weekend, we also helped answer many of the common questions that come up about the voting process.

Every time I remember that this is National Volunteer Week, I break into a smile. I am lucky to come to work every day to support women & men around the country who are dedicating their free time to helping voters participate in our democracy.

It struck me that the League doesn’t just ask others, like Congress to pass Comprehensive Immigration Reform or the Supreme Court to continue to protect voting rights, we foster civic life and democracy through the very way we operate.

"They came from places like Vietnam, Somalia, and China. Seventeen different countries were represented Friday in south St. Louis County, as 23 petitioners gave up their native citizenship to become naturalized Americans. ... the St. Louis area League of Women Voters had a booth to register the new American citizens to vote, following the ceremony."

Standing in a crowded high school hallway in Northern Virginia on a cold morning back in 2010, I unfolded my handmade “Register to Vote!” poster and double-checked my supply of pens.  I was excited