Are you a first-time voter and you need to register? Or… are you already registered, but you moved or changed your name? You need to know these 3 steps!
1. Who can vote? You must be a citizen and an Arkansas Resident. And you have to be at least 18.
To register in Arkansas, you must be a U.S. citizen and an Arkansas resident. You must be age 18 or, you must turn 18 on or before the next election.
You must not be a convicted felon whose sentence has not been discharged or pardoned, and you must not be presently adjudged as mentally incompetent as to your ability to vote by a court of competent jurisdiction.
2. Where’s the registration? You have to fill out a paper Voter Registration Application.
Complete your registration by filling out a paper Voter Registration Application. The Arkansas Secretary of State website includes a list of places you can get one. You can also download it online (English / Spanish) or go in person to your County Clerk’s office.
On the application, you will need to provide either your driver’s license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number (or check the box in #9 if you do not have either).
3. When and where should I submit it? Submit the form at least 30 days before you vote. (You can drop it off at the Saline County Clerk’s Office).
To vote in the next election, you have to submit your application to an official voter registration agency or mail it at least 30 days prior. If you mail the form, it should be postmarked by that date.
You can also drop it off at the Saline County Clerk’s Office (215 North Main Street, Suite 9 in Benton) by that date.
Once your local county clerk has processed your Voter Registration Application, you will receive your voter registration card in the mail. Once you receive your card, you can be sure that you’re registered to vote. You can also check your registration online at this link.
Anna Colby originally wrote this article for MySaline as a senior at Benton High School. It has been re-written by Shelli Poole to fit this election year. See a list of all Anna’s columns at www.mysaline.com/anna.