Harry and Meghan make a rare statement encouraging people to vote

It’s not every day that royals get involved in political life, but Prince Harry and Meghan are using their platform to encourage their fans to vote. The couple made their first joint television appearance since moving to the United States, urging people to take part in what they're calling the most important election of our lifetime.“We're six weeks out from the election, and today is National Voter Registration Day," Meghan said on September 22 during the TIME100 special, which highlighted the magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2020. "Every four years, we are told the same thing, that 'this is the most important election of our lifetime.' But this one is. When we vote, our values are put into action, and our voices are heard. Your voice is a reminder that you matter. Because you do, and you deserve to be heard.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex: "Congratulations to this year's transformative leaders and change makers. You work tirelessly to create a better world, a better global community for all of us" #TIME100 https://t.co/3aojLBhOVu pic.twitter.com/aqOkVUNFBX

— TIME (@TIME) September 23, 2020

“Seeing our world through the lens of community is so important because we need to redraw the lines of how we engage with each other both online and off. What we’re exposed to online seeps into how we engage with each other offline. It can train us to be kind, or it can train us to be cruel,” she said.“When the bad outweighs the good, for many, whether we realize it or not, it erodes our ability to have compassion and our ability to put our self into someone else’s shoes,” Harry added. “Because when one person buys into negativity online, the effects are felt exponentially. It’s time to not only reflect but act… As we approach this November, it's vital that we reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity.”[video_embed id='2041626']RELATED: Harry and Meghan's special message from their California backyard[/video_embed]As Harry points out in the video, he isn’t eligible to vote in the American election and has never been allowed to vote as a royal in Britain. But Meghan—who was born in California—is. So when she votes in November, she will make history as the first member of the royal family to exercise her right to vote in a public election."I know what it's like to have a voice, and also what it's like to feel voiceless," Meghan recently told Marie Claire in a special election issue. "I also know that so many men and women have put their lives on the line for us to be heard. And that opportunity, that fundamental right, is in our ability to exercise our right to vote and to make all of our voices heard.”It’s clear that Meghan is all-in on using her voice to make a difference in this election. Not only are she and Harry breaking royal protocol by speaking out in the video, but Meghan has been making the rounds and speaking to various outlets about the importance of voting. She’s also been cold-calling voters, encouraging everyone she can to get to those polls. “Tonight reminds us how important it is to watch out for each other,” Harry added in the TIME video. “To care for each other, and to inspire each other. We are incredibly proud to join you in this historic moment in time.”The U.S. presidential election takes place Tuesday, November 3.[video_embed id='2030708']RELATED: Harry and Meghan have paid off their $4.2 million royal debt[/video_embed]