The Jeff Davis Parish Registrar of Voters Office will host a series of Voter Registration Drives this week as part of the statewide Voter Registration Week.

“Voters Registration Week is to commemorate Voters Registration Week and remind residents of Jeff Davis Parish to make sure they are registered to vote and to either register or update their voter information before the election,” parish Registrar of Voters Joann Blair said.

The statewide voter registration push comes ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential and congressional elections. The ballots will also include a number of state and local races.

“The first step to participating in the electoral process is registering to vote,” Secretary of State Nancy Landry said in a press release. “It’s never been easier to register or update your registration information in Louisiana – any citizen with a Louisiana license or ID can register online in a matter of minutes at GeauxVote.com.”

During the voter registration events, local residents will be able to register to vote, make changes to a current registration and gain information on the absentee-by-mail program, according to Blair.

She encourages everyone to take the time to verify their information ahead of the upcoming elections.

“It is very important that voters know their information is correct so that when they go to vote early or on Election Day things can be processed faster without any problems or delays,” she said.

The deadline to register or make changes in-person or by mail for the fall election is Monday, Oct. 7. The deadline for online registration and changes is Tuesday, Oct. 15.

The Registrar of Voters Office, 302 N. Cutting Avenue in Jennings, will be holding extended office hours, 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 17 and Thursday, Sept. 19 for anyone who cannot make it to the office during normal business hours.

Registrar of Voters Office staff will also be at Hathaway High School, 8:30-noon, Tuesday, Sept. 17; Sowela Technical Community College Morgan Smith Campus, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Sept. 18 and Jennings High School, 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 to register students.

To register to vote a person must be at least 17 years old, but must be 18 years old by the election day to be eligible to vote. A person must also reside in the parish in which they seek to register to vote.

Persons wishing to register to vote must have a valid Louisiana driver’s license, special ID card, birth certificate or other government documentation establishing identity, age and residency. Proof of residency can include a utility bill or payroll check.

Early voting for the Nov. 5 election will be held 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 18-29, excluding Sunday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 27 at the Registrar of Voters Office.

Deadline to request an absentee ballot is 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, other than military and overseas voters. Ballots must be received by 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, excluding military and overseas voters.

Persons needing to register to vote or update their information, can visit the Jeff Davis Parish Registrar of Voters Office or go online at www.GeauxVote.com.