Citizens who are not registered to vote must complete and submit a voter registration application by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11 if they wish to participate in Virginia’s Nov. 8, 2005 General Election.

At this late date, Patsy A. Parker, General Registrar for Suffolk, said, &uot;I would suggest, at this point, coming into the office and registering in person.&uot;

Suffolk’s registrar’s office is located at 425 West Washington Street and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Citizens can go online to verify their voter registration status at the Virginia State Board of Elections web site, located at www.sbe.state.va.us.

The site can also be used to determine voting locations as well as elected officials and representatives.

&uot;You can also go online and find the registration application, fill it out, and drop it off here, as long as it gets here before 5 p.m. on Oct. 11,&uot; Parker said.

Parker also said anything sent via mail must be postmarked by 5 p.m. this coming Tuesday.

Parker said the expected voter turnout is expected to be similar to Virginia’s last gubernatorial election in 2001.

That November, 46.4 percent of registered Virginians voted, and specifically in Suffolk, 43.3 percent (around 17,000 people) of registered voters went to the polls.

In addition to the statewide elections for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General, the ballots in Suffolk will have state delegate, Commonwealth’s Attorney, Sheriff, Commissioner of Revenue and Treasurer decisions.

andrew.giermak@suffolknewsherald.com