It's National Voter Registration Day, and voters across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are encouraged to check their status.

Nov. 5 is Election Day for the presidential race, some U.S. Senate seats, U.S. Congress, and other public offices depending on where you live. But if you want to vote, first you have to register to do so.

The Texas secretary of state on Wednesday asked the federal government to provide citizenship data to help state officials verify whether registered voters are eligible to cast ballots. Secretary of State Jane Nelson said her office is compiling a list of registered voters whose citizenship can’t be verified using state sources.

This election season MAKERS encourages all citizens to fulfill their democratic duty by registering to vote and casting a ballot. Voting is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal to make our voices heard and bring about real change.