It’s a good idea to check your status, even if you feel sure you’re all set. In battleground states, and states that have recently enacted restrictive measures, longtime voters are getting some ugly surprises. Our friend Phil Thayer in Concord forwarded a story by Joyce Vance. Vance’s neighbor, a prominent voting-rights lawyer in Alabama, arrived at his polling place and was told he was on the Inactive voter list.
Inactive voters can still vote, but they have to jump through the extra hoop of voting a provisional ballot. In some jurisdictions they are required to return with further proof of their status. If you’re like most of us, you want your vote to count, not be held aside “in case it’ll make a difference.” Younger friends and family members are more likely to find themselves on an Inactive list and also less able to afford the time it can take to resolve status questions.
It’s easy to check your registration status ahead of time. Vote.gov is one of several online means of registering to vote, checking your voter status, and updating your information if necessary: https://vote.gov/
If your status is active now, your state is not allowed to move you to Inactive. (The National Motor Voter Act says you can’t be removed from the voter rolls closer than 90 days out from the election.) But for extra peace of mind, especially in a battleground state, it’s a good idea to check your status now, take a screenshot, and bring the screenshot with you when you go to the polls.
