And as Patrick Murray said, voter turnout is going to make all the difference in this election, both nationally and for major statewide races here at home, including the battle for the U.S. Senate seat, making today's National Voter Registration Day all the more important.

Communities across the state are holding events to get out the vote.

25 new Jersey colleges and universities are participating in this year's annual Ballot Bowl competition.

It's a nonpartisan voter registration tradition that's led by and for students to get others to become more civically engaged.

Raven Santana reports from William Paterson University.

All right, well, the 2024 Ballot Bowl is really just a pep rally for colleges and universities across the state, as you can see.

For the seventh year, students have gathered with mascots from colleges from across the state to really make sure that those students get out and vote and were able to enjoy speeches from local leaders, NFL players, and even the lieutenant governor who has spearheaded the rally in 2020.

New Jersey led the nation and youth voter turnout.

Don't let me down.

Do not let me down.

Let's build upon the ballot.

Bowl 2024 legacy.

Let's support a healthy democracy.

And of course, good luck to all the competing teams.

This is the first time that William Patterson is hosting the Ballot Bowl event.

Today, the event we invited, students from across new Jersey, staff members across new Jersey, and our students here at William Patterson.

They're going to come to the event today.

We have various tables here.

Just talking about the importance of voting.

We're still, doing tabling.

She's doing tabling, and she is doing tabling, to still get more people to be registered to vote.

You know, everybody's not going to be here today, but the people that are here today, they'll be able to register to vote.

And whoever is ready to vote can vote today.

But as you know, the 18 to 29 year old voting bloc is the largest growing voting bloc in the country.

And surprisingly, they've been showing up at both midterms and, cycle elections over the past couple cycles.

So they too want to hear their voices heard from a standpoint of the election's election standpoint, the issues are critical to them climate change, student debt, women's rights, LGBTQ and trans rights, the national debt.

Those are all front of mind for our students who are actually also citizens of the US.

I'm here today because, I care about women's reproductive rights, and that's what I really, you know, when I get out there, when I'm voting, that's like my main focus.

I always thought that the women who fought for our rights to vote was very empowering.

So I just wanted to bring that up.

So, like, the age that I'm able to vote and I'm, I'm winning because I have the ability and the privilege to do that.

So my first year being able to vote, I've always been wanting to vote.

And there's a lot at stake right now.

So I feel like it's a good way to show my generation, so the future generation, how important it is to vote and actually advocate.

We have a voice, so why not use it?

It was Bobby Okereke.

This is my sixth year in the NFL.

I'm a captain for the New York Giants.

And on that note, talking about leadership.

You know, me and Kayvon talk all the time about greatness, about leadership.

And on that same line of leadership, especially in an election year.

The best way you can lead is by voting.

What's important to remember that today was just a kick off of that competition.

Students now are able to go through Election day.

I'll tell you what.

Students here at William Patterson University are hoping that they take the crown for the most registered voters for NJ Spotlight News, I'm Raven Santana.