Child Care Leaders Urge Americans to Register to Vote on National Voter Registration Day

WASHINGTON — As September 15 marks National Voter Registration Day, a coalition of childcare equity advocates today urged those who want affordable and equitable childcare policies to register to vote, double check their registration status, and plan to vote.

“Childcare is on the ballot every time we elect leaders who decide what our communities will invest in and prioritize,” said Lenice Emanuel, executive director of the Alabama Institute for Social Justice. “If we want leaders who will fight for affordable, accessible child care, we must first make sure our voices can be heard, and that starts with registering to vote.”

“We want families to have a voice in the decisions that determine whether they can afford child care, find a provider, keep their jobs or access public benefits,” said Hope Joyner, childcare champion organizer of SPACEs in Action. “To do this, we have to protect their ability to vote.”

“Coming from a long line of preachers and teachers, I was raised on a simple lesson plan: love your neighbor, speak the truth and do the work,” said Candice R. Williams, executive director of For All Families Oregon. “On National Voter Registration Day, the work is to make sure every one of us is registered to vote, because the leaders who will champion childcare, who will fight for working families, providers and our youngest children don’t land in office by accident. They get there because people like us showed up, signed up and brought our communities with us.”

“As we think about the future of our children and those who care for and work with them, we need to remember that kids can’t vote, but you can,” said Tyrone Scott, director of government and external affairs of First Up. “Each of us has a duty to ensure we exercise our most basic American right and use it to ensure those in power show their support and respect for children, their families, and those who work with them by voting for policies and budgets that made high-quality early care and education to all.”

“For too long, child care has been seen as a personal problem that families must solve, but this is a challenge that requires action from our elected leaders,” said Erin Clark, child care organizer with 9to5 Georgia. “All of our communities are made richer when we take good care of our children, parents and childcare providers. The 2026 midterm elections are an opportunity for voters to raise child care as an important issue and ensure those elected make it a priority moving forward.”

“Decisions about child care funding, policy and access are being made at the federal, state and local levels by elected officials,” said Matt Williams, executive director of the Mississippi Low-Income Child Care Initiative. “That means that child care is on the ballot, whether we say it loud or not. When child care needs are met, parents can go to work, children are safe and learning and providers contribute to the economy. That’s why we need you to register to vote and choose individuals who champion child care. When we all vote, change becomes possible.”