Today, more than 1,000 partners across 48 states are kicking off the 2026 celebration of National Voter Education Week (“NVEW”), a national open-source campaign that puts nonpartisan voting information in voters’ hands so they can cast their ballots with confidence.
This week of interactive education, which takes place October 5-9, helps voters through all the steps of the voting process, from researching their ballot to making a plan to vote to helping their friends and family turn out for this year’s and future elections.
Voter education is more important in 2026 than ever before. There are unprecedented amounts of noise, uncertainty, and confusion around voting processes and requirements this election cycle, which allows misinformation about elections to spread.
This week is an opportunity for voters to take a few minutes to lock in when, where, and how they’ll vote, and what they need to bring to the polls to make sure their ballot counts. With more than 40,000 offices up for election nationwide this November, a clear plan helps every voter show up prepared to cast a ballot that reflects each voter’s own values and priorities.
Making a plan to vote is one of five calls to action on the NVEW Voting Checklist, alongside registering to vote, getting to know your ballot, understanding the voting process, and sharing with your friends and family. Together, each small action covers the full voting journey.
“Every voter has the power to help shape the future of their community and our country, from their city council all the way to Congress,” said Clarissa Unger, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition, which chairs the NVEW Steering Committee. “When you make a plan to vote, you’re taking that power into your own hands. National Voter Education Week gives voters the information to decide their future for themselves and show up ready to make their voices heard.”
This year’s partners reflect how many kinds of trusted messengers are part of voter education. Election offices, colleges and universities, and faith-based organizations are joined by libraries, museums, K-12 schools, social services, local businesses, media companies, fraternities and sororities, community organizations, and social clubs.
“The choices we make at the ballot box affect every aspect of our daily lives,” said Rebekah Caruthers, President and CEO of Fair Elections Center. “Every voter has the right to make those choices, but exercising that right requires preparation, especially in this contentious electoral environment. Less than a month from the midterm elections, we are proud to support National Voter Education Week, taking this annual opportunity to turn intention into action by helping to ensure that every voter knows when, where, and how to make their voice heard this November.”
“National Voter Education Week helps ensure voters are prepared with the information they need to participate. At Democracy Works, we build nonpartisan tools and election data infrastructure that helps millions of Americans find accurate information about when, where, and how to vote. We’re proud to stand with partners across the country to make sure every voter has information they can trust,” said Luis Lozada, CEO of Democracy Works.
“Every voter deserves an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote counted,” said Nicholas Gothard, Senior National Coordinator of Election Protection at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “This National Voter Education Week, we encourage voters to call or text the Election Protection Hotline – 866-OUR-VOTE – to be connected with a trained volunteer that can provide you with trusted, nonpartisan information. From checking your voter registration and making a plan to vote to reporting voter intimidation at the polls, the Lawyers’ Committee is standing up for your rights and working hand in hand with our National Voter Education Week partners to do so.”
“Young people deserve a say in the decisions that shape their lives. At Rock the Vote, we help make that possible by bringing clear, nonpartisan voting information to the places where young people already connect, from music and sports to their campuses and communities. We’re proud to support National Voter Education Week and work alongside partners across the country to help voters get their questions answered, understand their options, and make a plan to vote. Together, we can help young people participate with confidence this November and beyond,” said Kenny Sandoval-Bushur, Senior Advisor, Rock the Vote
“Between changing deadlines, rules, and requirements, voting can be confusing, especially for young people unfamiliar with the process. National Voter Education Week is a reminder that millions of students across the country are getting ready to navigate the voting process — many for the first time. From now until Election Day, we are committed to ensuring all eligible students and campuses have the information and resources they need to cast a ballot and take this step toward making civic engagement a lifelong habit,” said ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Executive Director Jen Domagal-Goldman.
“Confusion can be a powerful barrier to the ballot box for eligible voters, especially first-time voters and those navigating new rules in their state,” said Lauren Kunis, CEO and Executive Director of VoteRiders. “The best way to break down that barrier is to make sure every voter has a plan to vote and knows where to turn for help if they have questions. VoteRiders is proud to partner on this year’s National Voter Education Week campaign to make that vision a reality. We’re committed to providing accurate information on what form of ID voters need (or don’t need!) to register and vote successfully this November, as well as provide free one-on-one help to Americans who need ID support to cast a ballot with confidence.”
“From the fight for the ballot to the ongoing fight for freedom, voting has always been an act of resistance. For Black communities, our right to vote was won through struggle, sacrifice, and organizing. When we vote, we are not simply participating in democracy, but we are exercising our power and claiming the future we know our communities deserve. The NAACP Youth & College Division is proud to join partners across the country in ensuring every young voter has the information and tools to participate with confidence, not just in this election, but in every election to come,” said Tylik McMillan, National Director of Youth & College, NAACP.
Voters can check their registration, look up their ballot, and build their plan at NationalVoterEducationWeek.org/vote.
NVEW is one of four Civic Holidays, along with National Voter Registration Day (September 15), Election Hero Day (October 20), and Vote Early Day (October 24). Together, the four Civic Holidays take voters through the entire voting process, from registration, to voter education, to recognizing the people who administer elections, to casting a ballot.
The SLSV Coalition is the largest nonpartisan coalition in the US dedicated to growing the student vote, and chairs the National Voter Education Week Steering Committee, a group of 16 organizations from across the nonprofit sector. The NVEW Steering Committee members are listed here.