Today's the last day Georgians can register to vote in the Nov. 6 General Election, and election workers warn that anyone who hasn't voted in years may need to register again.
Muscogee County Director of Elections and Registration Nancy Boren said residents may have been purged from the voter rolls if they haven't voted in the past two presidential elections, neither in 2004 nor 2008. If purged, they must register today to vote Nov. 6.
If they think they're still eligible but haven't voted in years, they can check their registration online through the Georgia Secretary of State's "MyVoter" page, mvp.sos.state.ga.us, which also tells residents where they vote and provides sample ballots. Early voting for the November election starts next week.
Anyone who wants to register in person today may visit the Muscogee County elections office in the west wing of the Columbus Government Center, 100 10th St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is 706-653-4392. They can get more information online by linking to the elections office through the city government website, www.columbusga.org.
Harris County residents may register from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hamilton elections and registration office, 104 N. College St. The phone number is 706-628-5210.
Those registering must show some identification.
Residents also can register by mail. Forms are available online at the Muscogee County elections office or Georgia Secretary of State's website, and in hard copy at the elections office and the public libraries. Completed forms must be postmarked no later than today for those registering to vote Nov. 6. When registering by mail, folks may photocopy their ID and enclose that copy with their registration form, but if they neglect to do that, they still may vote by showing their ID when they get to the polls.
Any qualified voter who will be at least 18 on Election Day -- even if the voter's birthday is Nov. 6 -- may register now to vote that Tuesday.
People who have had a change of name or address may want to register again so the elections office has accurate, up-to-date information, which could avoid confusion at the polls come Election Day.
In Alabama, the registration deadline is Oct. 26. Residents there do not have to show a photo ID. A Social Security card, utility bill or other document establishing identity and residency will suffice.
Russell County folks can register from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the probate judge or voter registrar office of the county courthouse, now in the old Mead building at 1000 Broad St., Phenix City. The telephone number is 334-298-7979 for the probate judge and 334-298-1443 for the voter registrar.
