With the presidential primary for New York State only a month away, Catholic bishops of the state released a statement Friday urging voters to fulfill their political responsibility by double-checking their voting registration.

"The good of a democratic republic like ours depends on the participation of its citizens," the statement reads. "This may seem obvious but it needs to be insisted upon in today's American society. The most fundamental action of a good citizen is to vote. All other activities in the political sphere depend on the exercise of this most fundamental right - which is equally a solemn responsibility. Regrettably, in our country today an alarming percentage of citizens do not exercise this right. In New York State, on average over the past four years, only 40 percent of eligible voters carried out their civic duty." 

The bishops also pointed voters to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops election guide, "Faithful Citizenship," a document that teaches four of the principals of Catholic social teaching and how it can apply to elections. 

New York State residents have until Friday, March 25, to register to vote in the April 19 primary. For more information about registering, click here.

Click here to read the New York bishops' full statement.