By Carol Heard

Special to The Post-Searchlight

Now is the time to ensure your voting record is up to date.

The Georgia Secretary of State’s Office and the Decatur County Board of Elections and Registration are in the process of updating its electors and their correct residential addresses, which is required by law.

In the coming weeks, if you receive a letter from the Board of Elections, it is recommended that you either confirm or correct your residence. If you receive a letter, and your address is correct, you still must return the letter to confirm that the information is correct. If you receive a letter and your address is not correct, please make the appropriate corrections. Either can be returned in the self-addressed, postage prepaid envelope.

These notices are mailed to electors who have note voted, not filed an updated voter registration card, have not filed a change of name or address, have not signed a petition, have not signed a voter’s certificate, and not confirmed the elector’s continuation at the same address during the preceding three calendar years.

Voters may also receive a notice if they have changed their address or registered to vote and their precinct cards were returned to the Board of Elections by the U.S. Postal Service.

If the notice is not returned within 30 days by the elector, the elector’s name may be transferred to the inactive list of electors. An elector may run the risk of being removed as an elector if there is no contact, which may include not voting or not updating or confirming their information, after two general elections.

The best way an elector can check their status, their address and other information is by going to My Voter Page (http://www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do). There, voters can view their voting status, print or email a precinct card, and view or correct their information, such as their address.

If you are not registered to vote, you can do so online at the Secretary of State’s website’s. You can also register to vote or change your address at the Board of Elections office located at 122 W. Water St. in Bainbridge. For more information, call the Board of Elections at (229) 243-2087.