Non-Citizens Now Eligible to Vote in DC Local Elections: Nigerian Center to Host Voter Education Workshop on September 18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2024

Non-Citizens Now Eligible to Vote in DC Local Elections: Nigerian Center to Host Voter Education Workshop on September 18

Washington, DC – In a groundbreaking development, non-citizens residing in Washington, DC, are now eligible to vote in local elections. This historic move aims to broaden democratic participation within the nation’s capital, allowing immigrant communities to have a voice in decisions that directly impact their lives.

In response to this significant change, the Nigerian Center, in collaboration with the District of Columbia Board of Elections (DCBOE), will host a Voter Education Workshop on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 6:30 PM. The workshop will take place at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, located at 901 G St NW, Washington, DC.

This educational event is specifically designed for non-citizens and immigrants who are residents of DC and wish to understand their new voting rights and responsibilities. In addition to providing comprehensive information on voter registration and the election process, the workshop will also address the legal ramifications of this new law. Participants will learn how voting as a non-citizen does not affect their prospects of becoming permanent residents or U.S. citizens.

“We are committed to empowering our immigrant communities by providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to engage fully in the democratic process. This workshop is a crucial step in ensuring that non-citizen residents are informed and ready to exercise their right to vote.” - Nkechi Ilechie, Policy Director of the Nigerian Center.

Community and immigrant rights organizations serving Washington, DC residents are invited to participate in the event and help inform the community. For more information, please contact Nkechi Illechi at programs@nigeriancenter.org.

The workshop will include presentations from representatives of the DC Election Board, followed by a Q&A session to address any concerns or questions participants may have. Additionally, immigration lawyers from the Nigerian Center will be available to answer naturalization-related questions from participants.

Registration Information
To register for the Voter Education Workshop, please visit www.nigeriancenter.org/events/noncitizensvoting 

About the Nigerian Center
The Nigerian Center is the first immigrant and cultural center for the Nigerian diaspora. Located in the nation’s capital, the Nigerian Center was established to provide social justice opportunities for members of the Nigerian American community in the United States. Additionally, the center supports newly arrived immigrants with culturally sensitive transition and self-sufficiency opportunities. While we are called the Nigerian Center, we are happy to serve all immigrant communities in the United States.

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