By Sheryl Swingley—
MUNCIE, IN—The deadline to register to vote is 11:59 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7.
“The first step in our democracy is to register to vote and then vote because your vote counts,” said Linda Hanson, Indiana League of Women Voters president and spokesperson for the Muncie-Delaware County League.
Citizens can check to see if they are registered to vote by going to VOTE411.org.
The award-winning site, maintained by the national headquarters of the League of Women Voters and local Leagues, also provides easy access to information about candidates that citizens need to participate in elections. When going to this site, citizens will be asked to provide their first and last name, date of birth and county of residence.
Citizens not registered to vote may use VOTE411.org to register to vote.
Another way to register to vote is to go to the voter registration offices in respective counties Monday through Friday. Hours are usually 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. In Delaware County, citizens may register at the Delaware County Building, 100 W. Main St., in the Voter Registration Office, Room 104. Finally, citizens can register at their local branch of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
To be eligible to vote a resident must:
–Be a citizen of the United State.
–Have a valid government ID, which are Indiana driver’s license; Indiana state identification, which can be obtained at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles; state university or college student ID; U.S. military ID.
–Be at least 18 years old on the day of the next election. (which is Tuesday, Nov. 5)
–Have lived in a precinct for at least 30 days before the next election; this does not apply to military voters.
–Not currently incarcerated after being convicted of a crime.
“People with criminal records in Indiana even have their right to vote restored after being released from jail or prison,” Hanson said. “In addition, individuals on parole, probation, home detention or people who are in jail awaiting trial can vote. People who are in a community corrections program also can vote.”
Indiana is one of 16 states in the U.S. that restores voting rights to people who have been incarcerated.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, grassroots, public policy and educational organization. It encourages informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. It does not support or oppose any political party or candidate.
The League of Women Voters Education Fund and local leagues work to register and inform voters through the election resources of VOTE411.org and candidate forums.
People of all different governing beliefs are eligible to join local chapters of the League of Women Voters. No invitation is needed. To join the Muncie-Delaware County League, go to this site.
