September Is National Voter Registration Month

September is National Voter Registration Month, and Wyoming Secretary of State Max Maxfield is encouraging people who have not yet done so to register.

According to U.S. Census data, only 56 percent of Wyoming citizens age 18 and above were registered to vote for the November 2012 elections. That number increased to 58 percent during last month’s primary. However, less than half of those registered in Wyoming voted last month.

“I encourage all those who are eligible to vote to register,” said Secretary Maxfield.   “We make the process very convenient with Election Day registration.  This means that any qualified voter has the opportunity to register and vote on Election Day, even during the period of absentee voting.” 

Citizens who will be 18 years of age on Election Day, are residents of Wyoming, not convicted of a felony (or have voting rights restores), and who are not adjudicated mentally incompetent may register to vote.

Those registering to vote in Albany County have options on identification they must provide. They can bring their valid Wyoming Driver’s license. If they cannot provide a Wyoming Driver’s license, a license from another state, ID card issued by local, state or federal government agency, U.S. passport, school ID card with photograph, or a military ID card can be accepted.

If any of these forms of ID cannot be presented, a combination of two of the following may be used: certification of U.S. citizenship, certificate of naturalization, draft record, voter registration card from another state or county, original or certified copy of a birth certificate bearing an official seal, certification of birth abroad by the Department of State, any other form of identification issued by an official agency.

People can register in Albany County at the Elections Office in the Albany County Courthouse located at 525 E. Grand Ave., Suite 202 in Laramie. In addition, people in Rock River can register at the Rock River Town Clerk located at 321 Avenue D.

Registration is also accepted at the polling place on Election Day. Wyoming is one of only 11 states that accepts Election Day registration.

The nation's Secretaries of State established September as National Voter Registration Month in 2002 to encourage voter participation and increase awareness about state requirements and deadlines for voting.

To learn more about registering to vote in Albany County, click here or contact the Albany County Clerk’s Office at 721-2541.