With presidential and local races hitting the home stretch, citizens are reminded that Friday, Oct. 26 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 6 election.

According to the Alabama Secretary of State’s office, to register to vote, an individual must be a U.S. Citizen, reside in Alabama, be at least 18 years old, have not been convicted of disqualifying felony (but can have rights restored), and have not been declared “mentally incompetent” by a court.

For those interested in registering to vote, the Lowndes County Board of Registrars can be reached at (334) 548-2389 or (334) 548-2080.

Nov. 1 is the last day for absentee ballot applications to be received.

The Secretary of State’s office lists the following steps for applying for an absentee ballot:

Write or visit the local Absentee Election Manager (usually the Circuit Clerk), request an absentee ballot, and provide the following:

• name and residential address (or other such information in order to verify voter registration)

• election for which the ballot is requested

• reason for absence from polls on election day

• address to which the ballot should be mailed

• voter signature (If a mark is made in place of a signature, it must be witnessed)

The absentee ballot application must be returned to the Absentee Election Manager by the voter in person (or by the voter’s designee in the case of medical emergency voting) or by U.S. Mail.  No absentee ballot application may be mailed in the same envelope as another voter’s absentee ballot application.

For more information, visit www.sos.state.al.us.