MONTGOMERY, Ala.-- Secretary of State Beth Chapman announced
today that there have been untrue reports on Facebook posts and also email
messages regarding the need to “re-register” to vote in the upcoming
election. The emails and posts generally
state that if you have not voted in an election since 2008, you must
re-register to vote 30 days before the election or you will not be allowed to
vote in November.
“This is false information and voters should
not be misled by this ‘re-registration’ hoax,” said Chapman.
Chapman wants to make sure that currently
registered voters know their names will still be on the voter lists regardless
of whether they have voted in past elections or not.
“In fact,” Chapman stated, “the National
Voter Registration Act of 1993 specifically prohibits covered states from
removing individuals from the voter rolls solely for lack of voting for any
period of time.”
The State of Alabama’s voter registration cut
off is 10 days prior to an election. The registration deadline for upcoming
municipal elections is August 17, 2012.
For the September 18th Special Constitutional Amendment Election that
deadline is September 7, 2012 and for the November General Election the
deadline will be October 26, 2012. A citizen wishing to register to vote may
download a registration form at www.alabamavotes.gov and mail or hand-deliver it
to their county Board of Registrars. A citizen may also register to vote when
applying for or renewing a State of Alabama driver’s license or identification
card, at state and local Department of Human Resources offices, Department of
Health WIC offices, Medicaid and Department of Rehabilitation offices. Mail-in
voter registration forms can be found at public libraries, armed forces
recruiting stations, local probate judges’ offices, universities, public
schools and colleges.
A registered voter may need to update
information by changing their name or address since the last election and that
may be done through the local Board of Registrars in each county.
If you have questions concerning your voter
registration information, please visit www.alabamavotes.gov
and follow the links to check your personal voter registration status. Voters may also contact the Elections
Division of the Secretary of State’s office at 1-800-274-VOTE.
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