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With the elections past us, some did not able to get to either vote or were upset about a lot of the outcomes of their state and/or local elections. If you are one of those who needs to understands the rules and regulations as well as the how tos of a voter registration application, here it is!
To Register in your state, you must be:
- a U.S. citizen
- a resident in your own state
- at least 18 years old (you may pre – register at 16 or 17, but cannot vote until you are 18).
If you have been convicted a felony, or if a court has found you to be mentally incapacitated as to your right to vote, you cannot register until your right to vote is restored.
If you do not meet any ONE of these requirements, you are not eligible to register.
Criminal Offense: It is a 3rd degree felony to submit false information. Maximum penalties are $5,000 and/or 5 years in prison.
Public Record: Once filed, all information including your phone number and email address as provided become public record except for the following which can only be used for voter register purposes: your state Drivers License, your state ID, SSN, where you registered to vote, and whether you declined to register or to update your voter registration record at a voter registration agency. Your signature can be viewed but not copied. (This is from Section 97.0585, Fla Stat., which this rule is mainly in the state of Florida and could probably be in your state)
Where to Register: You can register to vote by completing the application and delivering it in person or by mail to any supervisor of elections’ office, office that issues driver’s licenses, or voter registration agency (public assistance office, center for independent living, office serving persons with disabilities, public library, or armed forces recruitment office) or the Division of Elections.
Deadline to Register: The deadline to register to vote is 29 days before any election. You can update your registration record at any time, but for a Primary Election, party changes must be completed 29 days before that election. You will be contacted if your new application is incomplete, denied or a duplicate of an existing registration. Your Voter Information Card will be mailed to you once you are registered.
Identification (ID) Requirements: New applicants must provide a current and valid state driver’s license number or a state identification card number. If you do not have a state driver’s license number or a state identification card number, then you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. If you don’t have any of these numbers, check “None.” If you leave the field and box blank, your new registration will be denied.
Special Requirements: If you are registering by mail, have never voted in your state, and have never been issued one of the ID numbers above, include one of the following with your application, or at a later time before you vote: 1) A student ID, retirement center ID, neighborhood association ID, or public assistance ID); or 2) A copy of an ID that shows your residence address (acceptable documents – utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document).
The special ID is not required if you are 65 or older, have a temporary physical disability, are a member of the active uninformed services or merchant marine who is absent from the county for active duty, or a spouse or dependent thereof, or are currently living outside the U.S. but otherwise eligible to vote in their state.
Political Party Affiliation: Florida is a closed primary election state. In primary election, registered voters can only vote for their registered party’s candidates in a partisan race on the ballot. In a primary election, all registered voters regardless of party affiliation, can vote on any issue, nonpartisan race, and race where a candidate faces no opposition in the General Election. If you do not indicate your party affiliation, you will be registered with no party affiliation. For a list of political parties, visit the Division of Elections’ website at: dos.myflorida.com/elections
Race/Ethnicity: It is optional to list your race or ethnicity.
Boxes: Please check the boxes where applicable.
Good luck to all!