The Polish American Congress [PAC], New York Downstate Division, has launched their 2010 voter registration drive. The aim of the initiative, which has been organized for the third year in a row, is to assist eligible voters of Polish origin to register and vote in upcoming elections.

On Sunday, members of the Downstate New York Polish American Congress Voter Registration Committee appeared with their registration table in front of the Polish & Slavic Center on Kent Street in Greenpoint, where the whole block was closed off from traffic for the Children's Day Fair.

While the kids were playing many of the elders got down to the serious business of making sure they could vote in the upcoming senatorial, congressional and state elections. They also had a chance to fill out registration forms and ask about the registration process.

"We assisted some voters in filling out the forms, which we later sent to the Board of Elections. Many people wanted to make sure they qualified to vote," says Frank Milewski, president of the PAC, Downstate Division. "We explained to everybody that you have to be a U.S. citizen in order to be able to vote in America."

This year the PAC Registration Committee is planning to continue their initiative by appearing in front of churches attended by the Polish community, mainly in Greenpoint, Ridgewood and Williamsburg. "From the past experience we know that it is the most effective strategy. We have built a relationship with pastors from many parishes in these neighborhoods. We will be there to encourage and assist American citizens of Polish descent to register to vote," says Milewski pointing out that the bishop of Brooklyn, Nicholas DiMarzio also is calling all Catholics in the diocese to actively participate in the election process.

The Downstate New York Division of the PAC has been conducting the registration drive since 2008. "In the first year we managed to sign around 600 people to vote. These are however only estimates because many people took the registration forms home and filled them out on their own. Those who registered with our help may have also encouraged their friends and relatives to become active voters," Milewski said.

The aim of the PAC's initiative is, first of all, to make Poles aware of the fact that the more of us votes in elections, the more our community counts in this country.

"By registering to vote we increase the visibility of our community in the local society, and also we prove our strength," Milewski explains. The other important goal is to show politicians that Poles constitute a significant percent of their electorate. "Each time we inform the local legislators of our action," Milewski adds.

PAC had yet another goal to fulfill by organizing the registration drive at the Children's Day Fair.

"We wanted the kids to get a basic lesson in civic responsibility as they watched their parents or grandparents complete the required paperwork that will allow them to vote in this autumn's primary and elections," says Milewski, whose childhood memories involve an image of his father, a Polish immigrant, participating in each election after he became a U.S. citizen.

"My father and his friends thought it was a matter of utmost importance to vote. This has sunk deep in my memory," the PAC, NY president says.