Haven't voted lately? You might not be able to vote in the presidential election

If it's been awhile since you've voted in a presidential election, it might be a good idea to find out if you're still registered. 

Election officials across the country expect record numbers of voters at the polls for the historic Nov. 4 election. And Barbara Cockrell, director of operations for the Virginia State Board of Elections, said that some people might be surprised to learn that their voter registrations have become inactive.

Waits in line at the polls could get even longer if large numbers of  potential voters find their registration is lapsed,  said Pat Harrington, voter registrar in Virginia Beach. "One of the most disappointing things to do is tell someone they can't vote," she said.

Under the National Voter Registration Act, anyone who is registered but hasn't voted in two national elections is given an inactive status. Notices are sent to check the voter's status.

Anyone who gets the card should mail it back after confirming their registration information. If it's not returned or deliverable, the voter's name would be purged from the voter registration list.

Cockrell said it might be the kind of mail that's set aside and never read. Cockrell was unable to provide statewide statistics on the total number of people on the inactive list. In Virginia Beach alone, however, 8,881 voters of the city's 273,868 registered voters were inactive, according to a Sept. 1 report.

Harrington said there could be even more ineligible voters. For example, anyone who has moved should change their address or risk not being able to vote.

"If they're unsure, they should check the Web site, call the registrar's office or submit a new form," she said.

Any checks now also will save time at the polls on Election Day, she said. "We want everyone who comes to the polls to be able to vote," Harrington said.

To check a voter registration or make changes, go to the Virginia State Board of Elections Web site at www.sbe.virginia.gov and look for the big red check mark on the left side of the page.

The voter registration deadline for the November elections is Oct. 6.

Lauren King, (757) 446-2309, lauren.king@pilotonline.com