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Indianapolis, IN - Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita is reminding Hoosiers that Tuesday, October 10, is the last day to register to vote in the November 7, 2006 General Election. Anyone not registered to vote may register in person by the close of business on the 10th at the county voter registration office, county clerk's office, or any Bureau of Motor Vehicles license branch.

Those mailing in a registration should note that it must be post-marked by Tuesday, October 10. Voter registration forms and instructions for submitting them are available on the Secretary of State's website at www.sos.IN.gov. Forms are also available at many government offices; however, voters should note that Monday, October 9 is Columbus Day, and many government offices may therefore be closed.

"I want every eligible Hoosier to exercise their right to vote," Rokita said. "I strongly encourage everyone to make sure their voter registration is correct and up-to-date so they can take pride in making their voices heard on November 7."

For the first time ever in an Indiana General Election cycle, Hoosiers can check their registration status, find their polling location, and more by visiting www.IndianaVoters.com. The ability to do so was made possible with the implementation of Indiana's first-ever, statewide voter file system linking together all 92 Indiana counties with several key state agencies.

The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) is also sponsoring a National Voter Registration Week from September 25 to October 1. In July, Secretary Rokita was installed as the president-elect of the nonpartisan association of the nation's chief state election officials. NASS has previously sponsored a National Voter Registration Week only in presidential election years, but thought it would be worthwhile to hold one before this year's midterm elections, since it would offer voters an opportunity to check their voter registration status.

Residents of other states currently in Indiana but planning to vote elsewhere can check their registration and voting information by using the NASS "Can I Vote?" web resource found at www.canivote.org. The NASS site is a useful tool for out-of-state voters who want to locate their polling place, find out what the deadline is to register to vote in their state, and generally prepare for casting their ballots on Election Day.

Tuesday, October 10 is also the first day to vote in Indiana by absentee ballot before an absentee voter board in the office of the county clerk or board of elections and registration.

Questions may be directed to your county voter registration office or Secretary Rokita's Election Division at 1-800-622-4941 or by visiting www.sos.IN.gov.

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