By Chelsea Vance | The Selma Times-Journal

Electronic voter registration is now available across the state of Alabama, according to Secretary of State John Merrill.

Merrill said online registration will save taxpayers dollars, increase the accuracy of voter rolls and provide a convenient yet secure option for Alabamians who wish to register or update their information.

Dallas County Registrar Carl Nelson has lately seen an increase in people registering to vote through mail and visiting his office ahead of the March 1 primary election.

Nelson believes registering online could make things easier for some voters.

“It all depends on what the people want to do. If they want to keep from having to come to the courthouse and they have a computer, they can do it online,” Nelson said. “It’s convenient for people.”

Nelson said about three or four people have registered to vote electronically.

Voters can get access to online registration at www.alabamavotes.gov. Once the registration has been completed, a paperless form is submitted electronically to the Board of Registrars Office in their home county.

“One of the most fundamental rights we as Americans are afforded is our right to vote,” Merrill said. “It is incumbent upon us as election officials to leverage technology wherever we can to facilitate the voting process.”

To submit an electronic application to register to vote, citizens must meet the following requirements:

* Must be a citizen of the United States

*  Must be at least 18 years old on or before election day

* Must be a resident of the State of Alabama

* Cannot be barred from voting by reason of a disqualifying felony conviction

* Cannot have been judged mentally incompetent in a court of law

Valid Alabama Driver’s License or Alabama Non-Driver’s License identification cards are required as well.

The last day to apply for voter registration through the electronic application is Feb. 15 for the March 1 primary election.

For more information, contact the Secretary of State’s Office at (334) 242-7200 or visit the website at http://www.sos.alabama.gov.