Want to vote? Must register by Friday at 5

By James Beaty
Senior Editor

October 08, 2008 11:01 am

— Want to vote for Barack Obama or John McCain for president of the United States of America but still haven’t gotten around to registering?
The time to register is dissipating as quickly as a politician’s pledge.
Friday is the last day for those who are not already registered to do so in time for the Nov. 4 General Election.
Anyone who is a U.S. citizen, Oklahoma resident and at least 18 may apply to become a registered voter, said Pittsburg County Election Board Secretary Cathy Thornton.
Those who need to register are usually those who have never registered before, or those who need to register again because of a new name or address — but others may want to check their registration as well.
“If voters miss two general elections, their registration is pulled for failure to vote,” said Pittsburg County Election Board Secretary Cathy Thornton.
“If you miss one general election, your status becomes inactive, which means you’re still registered and entitled to vote. If you miss the second general election, your registration is purged.”
Thornton said general elections are defined as the big elections held every two years, with the president being elected in one four-year cycle and a governor elected two years later in another cycle.
Thornton said voters who think they may have missed two general elections may want to check their status.
Those who want to register can do so by filling out and mailing an Oklahoma Voter Registration Application form in time for it to be postmarked no later than midnight on Friday, Thornton said.
Applications postmarked after that time will still be accepted, but the applications won’t be processed for approval until after the Nov. 4 election, according to Thornton.
Every applicant will receive a written response, through either a Voter Identification Card with a voter’s polling place and precinct listed, or will get a letter explaining why the application didn’t get approved, Thornton said.
Application forms are available at the Pittsburg County Election Board office at 10 E. Washington Ave. and at most post offices and public libraries in the county, Thornton said.
For more information contact the election board office at 423-3877.