JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As the countdown begins to the presidential election, local groups are hard at work registering voters, including fraternities and sororities.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council, also known as the Divine Nine, released a statement Monday announcing a campaign to get more voters to the polls.
The Divine Nine is made up of nine historically black sororities and fraternities. All organizations are now coming together during a "critical moment in history," to achieve strong voter turnout by educating voters, getting them registers and to the polls on Election Day.
With November's presidential election just months away, the presidents of the National Pan-Hellenic Council released a joint statement announcing a voter mobilization campaign.
Christina Stallings is ;resident of the Jacksonville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Year-round, the Greek organization regularly educates community members on the importance of voting and how to register.
"We are going to be unified and ensuring that we are getting out to vote we are registering the folks in our community," said Stallings.
"We’re stronger together," she said, "With this charge that’s coming from our leaders, we are going to be on the same page, that’s voter education, voter registration and mobilizing the community we live in."
"As the D9, the NPHC, it is our goal to work in our communities, so I do believe with the city seeing us all come together for one common goal -- that’s registering our citizens -- that will get everyone on board," said Michelle Banks is President of Jacksonville Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
Vice President Kamala Harris is a part of the Divine Nine, as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Harris has received enough delegate support to become the Democratic nominee.
However, this nonpartisan initiative from the National Pan-Hellenic Council did not directly endorse Harris or any candidate running.
"Just like with all the organizations there’s democrats, republicans. Not that we’re endorsing one particular candidate but the main goal here is to get our citizens registered and get them out to vote," said Banks.