Don’t forget to register to vote

-Letter to the Editor-

Sure, you’re planning to vote. But are you certain that you’re properly registered? If you've gone through some life changes, or it's been a few years since you've voted, be proactive and confirm your eligibility so your voice is counted.

If you’re not registered, do it now — the deadline is Oct. 19. Eligibility is open to U.S. citizens who are 18 or older (as of Election Day) and have been at their listed address for at least 30 days before the election.

Voters appearing at their precinct for the first time are required to show identification. Most people show their driver's license, but there are other acceptable forms of ID.

Even if you've voted before, it's a good idea to double-check your registration to

ensure that your information is accurate and that you're familiar with the polling location. If you've recently moved, it's possible that might affect your precinct.

Naturally, you don't want to spend time waiting in line at the wrong spot. Meanwhile, if your name or address doesn’t match the voter roll, you might have to submit a provisional ballot, which — depending on the validity of your registration — might not be counted.

If you're leaning toward voting by mail, apply now for a ballot. Plan ahead to create enough time for the process to play out. There is a lag time between receiving an application and returning it and then awaiting the ballot itself.

See www.pavoterservices.pa.gov for more information.

— Chris Foreman, Ben Avon