Borrego Sun - Since 1949

It is never too early to register to vote.

While Election Day is several months away, and the last day to register to vote is October 24 (any new or amended forms must be postmarked by midnight of that date), I am compelled to spur folks on to voting in possibly the most important election of our lifetime; the following information is taken from the League of Women Voters Education Fund website.

Requirements to Register to Vote

• be a United States citizen

• be 18 years of age on or before the day of the election

• be a resident of the State of California

• not be in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony

• not judicially determined to be mentally incompetent to vote

You do not need to know how to read or write in English or any other language. No tests are given when you register to vote. You may request assistance.

How to Register to Vote

To register to vote you must complete a brief voter registration application on paper or online. When you register online (registertovote.ca.gov) the system will search the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) database for your California driver license or identification card number, date of birth, and last four digits of your social security number. If your information is found and you authorize elections officials' use of your DMV signature, an electronic image of your DMV signature will be added to your voter registration application after you click "submit" at the end of the online application. If there is no signature on file with DMV, all of your information will be transmitted to your county elections office; you will just need to click "print," sign the paper application, and mail it. Your county elections official will contact you when your voter registration application is approved or when more information is needed to confirm your eligibility. (See below)

You can also register to vote using paper registration forms which are available in public libraries, post offices, government offices and the DMV. The Salton Community Services District Office on VanBuren will have registration forms soon; check with them before going: 760/394-4446. If you call your County Election Office, they will mail you a registration form. 442/265-1060.

You must provide the following information on the Voter Registration Form:

• Your full name - first, middle, last.

• Your complete residence address - not a post office box or a place of business. If you do not have a physical address, you may use your P.O. Box but you must also furnish a description of where you live, so you may be placed in the correct precinct. For example, I live at the corner of Coyote Junction and Ravenswood Trail).

• The address where you get your mail (if different from your residence) - this may be a post office box.

• Your complete date of birth - month/day/year.

• Your California drivers' license number (or identification card number) or the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN). If you do not include this information you will be required to provide identification the first time you vote. The State, a issue you an ID number.

• The name of the state in the U.S.A. or foreign country where you were born (not on all forms).

• Your political party preference - you may check "No, I do not wish to register with a political party" if you wish.

• The address at which you were last registered to vote (if any).

• The language in which you prefer to receive election materials - language choices will vary by county.

Information on the Voter Registration form that is optional:

• Your telephone number. This number becomes a public record.

• Your email address.

• Mr. Mrs., Ms., or Miss.

You will receive a notice by mail that you are registered to vote. If you do not receive the notice within three weeks of mailing your registration form, call your County Election Official and ask if you are registered to vote.” In Imperial County call: 442/265-1060 OR (online): http://www.co.imperial.ca.us/regvoters. To request an Absentee Ballot or for up to-date info call the Voter Hotline: 800/345-8683.