Get out and register—then VOTE!

Perhaps the most fundamental right we celebrate on Independence Day—a commemoration of our democratic society—is the right to vote. But the right to vote means nothing if people are not registered.

To register to vote you must be a U.S. citizen; be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you file (you must be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote); live at your present address at least 30 days before an election; not be in jail or on parole for a felony conviction and; not claim the right to vote elsewhere. Once registered to vote, an individual is not required to register again unless he or she changes his or her residence, name, or political party affiliation. The last day to register before the November election is October 4.

Recent changes have made registering simple.

May 20, 2000 marked the seventh anniversary of President Clinton’s signing the National Voter Registration Act, or “Motor Voter,” which reduces obstacles to voter registration by requiring that states provide uniform registration services through drivers’ license agencies, through public assistance and disability agencies and through mail-in registration.

Nearly nine million people have registered to vote since the new “motor voter” law went into effect in January 1995. A study prepared for the League of Women Voters and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People suggests that another six million people will register by the end of the year.

And there is no excuse not to vote.

In addition to visiting your county board of elections, you can access the necessary forms online. The Federal Election Commissions website at fec.gov/votregis/vr.htm provides information and The National Mail Voter Registration Form, allowing registration from anywhere in the U.S.

Qualified electors who are registered to vote are eligible to vote for any office in any election by absentee ballot.

Any registered elector who has a disability, or who is age 65 years of age or older irrespective of disability, and who has been assigned to vote at a polling place that has been officially designated as “inaccessible” by the county board of elections, has the right to vote through an Alternative Ballot.

You may even apply for an emergency absentee ballot, available at the county board of elections office, which will process and approve those emergency absentee ballot applications that have been completed and signed by the applicant elector before a notary public. Emergency absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the county board of elections between 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday before Election Day and 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before Election Day.

The Sullivan County Board of Elections is located at the government center in Monticello. Call 845/794-3000 or access the voter application online at elections.state.ny.us/voting/voting.htm. Call 800-FOR-VOTE for a NY State Registration Form.

The Wayne County Board of Elections is at 925 Court Street in Honesdale, online at co.wayne.pa.us/elections.asp or at 570/253-5978.

The Pike County Board of Elections is located in Milford at 506 Broad Street and can be reached at 570/296-3426.

The foundation of this great country is firmly rooted in our election process, which begins with voter registration. If you’re not registered, register today!

Our future depends on it.

Dr. Punnybone

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