Today is National Voter Registration Day here in the United States. Have you registered to vote yet? To inspire you to register, or just to check on the status of your registration, StarTrek.com published a story yesterday where they gathered quotes from some of Star Trek’s finest, on why they believe everyone should vote - even if you think your vote doesn’t matter.

Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager’s Captain Janeway)

Kate Mulgrew told StarTrek.com that “it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that voting is the fundamental right of the people.” She continued: “In fact, it is the only thing that ensures that our government is at the right of the people. We have to stop with any ambivalence about it - voting gives everyone a voice, and the voice of the people should be heard.”

Emphasizing how important she personally considers voting, Mulgrew said, “In my life, I have encountered some people who have been passive about voting and what could have been a friendship immediately ceased to exist for me. That is how important voting and civil engagement is to me! Thus, in a time of great social unrest, a time of danger to our constitution and danger to the soul of the nation, please do your civic duty and vote.”

Gates McFadden (Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Dr. Crusher)

Gates McFadden echoed Muglrew’s sentiment, saying the following: “Honor and justice are principles that I very much believe in, and I strive to be truthful in my life. I can’t expect my government to unfold with honor, justice, and truth if I don’t accept my civic responsibility as a citizen. [...] We have had many people throughout history who have shown us that it takes great engagement to make changes. If we’re not up to that level of involvement, we can certainly muster ourselves to go online, check our registration, and spend the time to cast our vote.”

Chase Masterson (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Leeta)

Deep Space Nine’s Chase Masterson was direct in her support of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. “Star Trek fans are brilliant, compassionate, empathetic people,” she said. “Let your love of Star Trek propel you to speak out and encourage your friends, family, and community to stand against the bigotry and corruption of Donald Trump with votes for Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and other Democratic candidates who will uphold the principles of inclusion, truth, compassion, and integrity for which Star Trek stands. And let’s make this a world where we can all live long and prosper.”

Alexander Siddig (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Dr. Bashir)

Masterson’s co-star, Alexander Siddig, emphasised that the right to vote is a right that Americans shouldn’t take for granted. “At the end of the day,” he said, “the only thing that separates an autocracy from a democracy is the power of the people to vote. [...] Your vote counts from the grassroots to the top, and you really are obliged to exercise it as a member of civic society.”

And many more

These quotes are just a few, abridged versions of the great quotes collected over at StarTrek.com. You should go and read the full collection for yourself, and look out for more soon. StarTrek.com says, “Be sure to check back over the next few weeks as we approach the 2020 election for more interviews with your favorite Trek actors.”