The Lincoln County Board of Elections is encouraging local residents to check their voter registration status, especially if they have not voted within the last 2 years.

"An elector is placed on inactive status if he does not vote or make any type of contact with the elections office within two General Election cycles," explained Kelvin Williams, director of elections for Lincoln County. "The elector then remains on inactive status through the fourth General Election cycle, at which time, his name is deleted from the voter registration list unless he votes or contacts our office or that of the secretary of state."

The director went on to emphasize that citizens, who appear on the inactive list, are eligible to vote and are processed in the same manner as active voters when they present themselves at the polls. Moreover, once they vote, their status is automatically changed back to active.

Williams also reminded electors that the general public and/or various organizations can obtain voter registration lists and files from various sources. But these voter registration lists are often "unofficial," meaning they are not always accurate and may not contain the most up-to-date information.

"Our office has received many calls over the past week or so concerning various 'unofficial' voter registration lists, containing inaccurate information, circulating throughout the county," said the elections director. "I can assure you that these lists were not generated, prepared, or obtained from the Lincoln County Board of Elections and Registration. In fact, my name appears on one of these lists as an inactive voter, and I have voted in every election since 1998."

In other items of information, Director Williams shared a list of things voters should know prior to the General Election, which is set for Tuesday, November 4. The list contained the following:

.. The last date to register to vote in the General Election is Monday, October 6.

Voter registration is held during regular business hours at the following locations: the Lincoln County Board of Elections and Voter Registration, located in The Lincoln Center on May Avenue; the Lincoln County Courthouse on Humphrey Street; LCHS; Dean's Beauty Salon on Metasville Road; and City Hall, the Lincoln County Library, the Lincoln County Health Department, and the Lincoln County Department of Family and Children Services, all on Peachtree Street.

Mail-in applications may be obtained at these locations or by visiting the secretary of state's website at www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/ applications.htm.

According to Williams, "Voter registration within the county has steadily increased over the past year. During the month of August alone, we processed approximately 150 new registrations and transfers from other counties."

.. Early voting at The Lincoln Center began on September 22 and will continue through Friday October 24. Any elector, registered in Lincoln County, may vote in person, without giving a reason, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"With a projected voter turnout rate of 90 percent, I am urging the citizens of Lincoln County to get out and cast their ballots early," said the elections director. "The more voters we can process prior to the election, the less 'wait time' electors will experience on election day."

.. Electors can "split their vote" in the General Election. Voters were required to choose parties in the primary.

.. Advance voting starts on Monday, October 27, and ends Friday, October 31.

In order to early vote, advance vote, or vote on Election Day, the elector must provide one of the six acceptable forms of identification. They include a Georgia driver's license, even if it has expired; any valid state or federal government-issued photo ID; and a valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state.

Moreover, photo identification, for the purpose of voting only, may be obtained at the elections and registration office during regular business hours.

.. A Voter Education Project has been initiated in an effort to familiarize the electorate with voting procedures and use of the electronic voting equipment.

In order to accomplish this goal, a voting booth, for demonstration purposes only, will be set up at the following locations: The Lincoln Center, every day during regular business hours; Bells Food Market, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., Friday, October 3, and from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Saturday, October 4; the Lincoln County Planning & Zoning Office (Perryman Avenue), from 2 until 4 p.m., Friday, October 10; the Lincoln County Courthouse, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m., Tuesday, October 14, and from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., Monday, October 20; and the Lincoln County Clothes Closet (Firetower Road), from 9 until 11 a.m., Thursday, October 16.

"Electors, who are unfamiliar with the use of electronic voting equipment, are encouraged to take advantage of this program," said Director Williams. "If these dates and times are not convenient, local residents can also call the elections and registration office, and we will make the necessary arrangements to ensure they learn how to operate the electronic units."

Georgia Law does not provide for an elector to receive assistance in voting if he is unfamiliar with or does not understand how the electronic voting system operates.

.. Applications are currently being accepted for absentee ballots. Electors do not need a reason to vote by mail.

Requests for absentee ballot applications may be made by telephone (1-706-359-6126) or by written statement. The written statements may either be faxed to 1-706-359- 7396; mailed to the elections and registration office at P.O. Box 1419, Lincolnton, Georgia, 30817; or delivered to the elections office located in The Lincoln Center at 160 May Avenue.

The deadline for requesting that an absentee ballot be mailed to one's residence is Friday, October 31.

For more information about the election process, contact the Lincoln County Board of Elections and Registration Office at 706-359-6126 or visit the organization's website at www.lincolncountygaelections.com.