Deadlines are fast approaching for those who want to participate in the upcoming general election on Nov. 6.
According to the Franklin County Board of Registrars office, the deadline to register to vote for the November election is this Friday, Oct. 26.
Those who aren’t currently registered to vote can bring a photo I.D. by the Registrars office, located in the basement of the Franklin County Courthouse, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to register.
Mail-in register forms are also available but must be postmarked by Oct. 26 in order to be accepted for the November election.
For those who have moved or had a name change since the last election, update forms are available as well.
For those who want to vote using an absentee ballot but haven’t done so, Circuit Clerk Anita Scott said Thursday, Nov. 1, is the deadline for her to mail-out ballots or have people physically vote at the Circuit Clerk’s Office, located on the first floor of the Franklin County Courthouse.
Scott said for those who aren’t able to physically come to the courthouse to vote absentee, someone else can pick up the absentee application, but the person who is voting must mail the application and ballot back in.
“Because of the different rules and regulations we’re given, we’re not allowed to accept a ballot from someone other than the person who is casting their vote,” Scott said. “Once a person’s absentee application is picked up, everything from that point forward must be done through mail.
“For instance, if someone’s wife is unable to physically come to our office to vote, her husband could pick up an absentee application for her, but she would have to mail the application and ballot back in. Her husband couldn’t physically bring it in for her.”
Scott said she understands the different regulations can be frustrating, but they’re put in place for a reason.
“All these rules are an attempt to reduce voter fraud,” Scott said. “We know most people aren’t trying to defraud the voting process by bringing in their spouse’s or parents’ ballots, but we have to abide by the rules.
“We just hope if people know this information beforehand, it can save them some trouble or a wasted trip here to the courthouse.”
For any questions about registering to vote, contact the Board of Registrars at 256-332-8847.
For any questions about absentee voting, contact the Circuit Clerk’s Office at 256-332-8861.