Voter Registration Deadline Nearing

CANTON — The Oct. 6 voter registration deadline for the Nov. 4 General Election is rapidly approaching.

Van Zandt County Deputy Clerk Elsa Smith said residents who have not yet registered to vote or who need to file a change of address should do so in person at the county clerk’s office or by mail,

By law, eligible voters must be registered no later than 30 days before the General Election.

Smith noted that voter registration cards have a place on the back for a change of address. That must be completed and signed no later than the Oct. 6 registration deadline.

"A person can mail it in or bring it in at the county clerk’s office, but it has to be done in writing. If it is mailed, it must be postmarked by Oct. 6," she said.

The Van Zandt County Clerk is located in the county courthouse in downtown Canton and is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Smith said new voter registrants need to have a driver’s license or last four digits of their Social Security number.

"If they have no proof of ID (on Election Day), they will have to have their voter registration card and a second form of ID such as a utility bill or birth certificate," she added.

Another issue that comes up often near elections is with the ballot-by-mail option. Smith said that is open only to people 65 or older, those who are disabled, those who are incarcerated and those who will not be in the county during the early voting period or Election Day.

"Ballot-by-mail began Sept. 5 and the last day to apply for one is Oct. 28. A ballot-by-mail must be received by the county clerk’s office by Nov. 4," Smith said.

She also said anyone with questions regarding voter registration is encouraged to call the county clerk’s office at (903) 567-6503.