By Scottie Brown

The Selma Times-Journal

 

With the deadline to register to vote, May 23, quickly approaching, there are some things those wishing to register should know.

According to the Alabama Secretary of State’s website, a voter must be a United States citizen, reside in Alabama, be at least 18 years of age, have not been convicted of a disqualifying felony or been legally declared “mentally incompetent” by a court.

Those wishing to register will not need an ID card or birth certificate unless there is a need for a change of address or a need to obtain a voter ID card.

With the upcoming primary election on June 3, voters will be required to show a valid, approved form of photo identification before voting as stated by Act 2011-673.

Ozetta Thomas, the Dallas County Democratic Party chair, fears younger generations, ages 18 to 30, may not be as motivated to go and get a voter’s ID.

“I feel like younger people don’t understand the gravity of the midterm election, and the impact of their vote,” Thomas said. “Quite a few people who are unemployed, they feel they’re being left out of everything. They don’t have the motivation to go out and get voter registration. We need their votes”

A voter who does not have a valid photo ID may get a free voter ID or free non-driver ID. A free voter ID may be obtained at the Secretary of State’s office and the Board of Registrar’s office. A free non-driver photo ID may be obtained at driver’s license offices.

To receive a free voter ID, a voter must show: a valid photo ID document or a non-photo identification document, a document showing the voter’s date of birth, documentation showing the person is registered to vote or documentation showing the voter’s name and address as reflected in the voter registration record.

Bobby Willis, with the Board of Registrars, said the office had not seen a dramatic increase in registration since the 2012 presidential election, but they have seen a steady flow of people wishing to register to vote.

The registrar’s office is not the only place voters can register, however. Public assistance offices, such as WIC, DHR and Medicaid, as well as driver’s license offices can provide registration forms as well as assistance to those wishing to complete the application.