Pearl River County residents who are new to the area or reached voting age will want to register to vote by Saturday if they want to have a voice in this year’s presidential election.
Pearl River County Circuit Clerk Nance Stokes said the deadline to register is Oct. 8.
Even though that date falls on a Saturday, offices in Picayune and Poplarville will be open that day from 8 a.m. until noon. Circuit Clerk offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In order to register, county residents will need to bring photo identification, such as a driver’s license, and fill out a short form, Stokes said. A current utility bill will be required if the identification has an old address.
Residents can still register to vote after the deadline, but they won’t be able to head to the polls next month for the general election.
“If you miss the deadline to register you will not be eligible to vote in the election on Nov. 8,” Stokes said.
Once registered, residents will receive their voter card in the mail within a week or two, which will include information about their designated voting precinct.
If for some reason a registered voter has a new address, Stokes advises that person to stop by her office and update their information so they can vote in the proper precinct. If that information is not provided before the deadline, then the voter will be directed to their previous polling place.
When a voter is not on the books the poll worker has to call the central office in order to determine the correct precinct for the particular person. That is why Stokes asks residents to update their information if it has changed.
“It makes it a lot easier for the poll workers and our office,” Stokes said.
By next year Stokes hopes to have electronic poll books for use during elections, providing poll workers with instant access to that information.
Absentee voting will be available until Nov. 5 at noon. Registered voters can cast an absentee ballot this Saturday, or the two Saturday’s prior to Election Day if they are unable to visit the Circuit Clerk office during a weekday.