Elections Office urges voter registration

September 19 is National Voter Registration Day, and the Stephens County Election offices is joining the country in urging citizens to register to vote.

Stephens County Election Supervisor Bruce Carlisle said the easiest way for residents to register is online on the My Voter Page of the Secretary of State’s Office.

In addition, voter registration forms are available at a number of places in the community, including the Georgia Department of Driver Services at 62 E Doyle Street in Toccoa and at the Stephens County Elections Office in the Historic Courthouse in Toccoa. 

Carlisle said that those 17.5 years of age or older can register to vote in order to complete the registration process so that they can cast their first vote once they turn 18, and urged all residents to take advantage of their chance to be heard in the voting process.

He also asked residents to check their MVP on the Secretary of State’s website to make sure all their information is correct.  He explained that anyone that has registered to vote in Georgia, regardless of where or when they registered, will have a MVP  page on the SOS system.

He said that, between local office and state efforts, letters have been sent out to approximately 2,000 citizens who are registered to vote in Stephens County, but have not been active in recent elections, in order to verify registration status. He added that those efforts to clean up the voter rolls are ongoing.

Carlisle said that anyone who has ever registered to vote in Georgia, regardless of when, or where they registered, and regardless of whether they registered online, or in person, will have an MVP page on the Secretary of State’s website where they can check their voter status and information. 

 

He added that the process of cleaning voter rolls is a meticulous process governed by state law, and that those who are concerned that there are any “nefarious” voting practices being employed in relation to individuals who appear on the voter rolls need to understand that officials at the local and state level are constantly updating and verifying the voter rolls.

Again, the state voter registration website is mpv.sos.ga.gov.