J. Nelson – Writer

Believe it or not, that is neither a trick question nor a pedantic grammar joke. I’m being serious: Can you vote?

If you’re new to the area, you need to make sure you’re registered to vote. If you recently moved, check that your voter registration is up-to-date and reflects your new precinct. If you didn’t vote in the last two presidential elections, check that your registration is still active. If your voter registration on the secretary of state’s website has any incorrect or out-of-date information, you need to update it ASAP.

Check your voter registration at https://apps.sos.wv.gov/Elections/Voter/FindMyPollingPlace.

If your status is active, you are good to go.

If it’s listed as “inactive,” according to the secretary’s website, “you have the same rights to cast a regular ballot as an “active” voter. However, this status means there is a potential issue with your registration and you did not return a confirmation post card sent by your county clerk. To become active again, simply update your registration online at ovr.sos.wv.gov, cast a ballot in any election, update your registration at the DMV, or contact your county clerk.”

If it’s listed as “cancelled,” you need to re-register as soon as humanly possible. Call your county clerk for information on why your registration was cancelled. (In Monongalia County, you can contact Carey Blaney’s office by calling 304-291-7230, email clerk@monongaliacountyclerk.gov or filling out this form. The people at the Mon County Clerk’s office are amazing — ask them nicely for some help and they’ll get you squared away.

The deadline to register to vote — whether you are registering for the first time or need to re-register — is next Tuesday, Oct. 15. You can register or update your registration at https://ovr.sos.wv.gov/Register/Landing. Please note that if you are (re)registered, you will need: Your name as it appears on your West Virginia driver’s license or ID card, date of birth, West Virginia driver’s license or ID card number and the last four digits of your Social Security Number.

So I ask again: Can you vote?

Checking your status takes less than a minute, and getting any problems fixed shouldn’t take long. So take the time to check your voter registration now (like, right now before you forget). It’s better to find out now and get any issues ironed out than to arrive at your assigned polling place and find out you can’t cast your ballot.

Then, after you’ve put in all that effort to make sure you can vote, make sure to show up at the polls either for early voting (Oct. 23 through Nov. 2) or on Election Day (Nov. 5) and do it.