One of the annual rites of passage in a presidential election year in Orange County since the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971 has been fall voter registration drives.
The year 2012 was unusual in that more than 5,000 new voters signed up in the spring, largely to vote on the same-sex marriage constitutional amendment on the ballot in May.
There are many issues of interest to the University community on the fall ballot, including a transit referendum on increasing bus service and building a light rail line from Chapel Hill to Durham. The current bus system started after approval in a 1974 referendum.
If you registered to vote this spring or earlier years in Orange County but have moved within Orange County, you need to update your registration. There are several ways to do this prior to the Oct. 12 deadline:
1) If you have your Orange County voter card, fill out the change of address form on the back and mail to Orange County Board of Elections, PO Box 220, Hillsborough NC 27278, scan and e-mail as an attachment to TREAMS@co.orange.nc.us or FAX to 919-644-3318.
2) Complete a regular voter registration form and indicate your new and old addresses on it. There are lots of places on campus with forms or download one at http://www.co.orange.nc.us/elect/registration.asp (no FAX or email allowed).
Alternatively, report your address change at early voting Oct. 18-Nov. 3 (there will be three locations in the Chapel Hill area including Rams Head Dining Hall) but it is better to get it done in advance.
If you are not registered, Oct. 12 is the regular deadline, so just find one of the many registration drives.
