The deadline is approaching for those wishing to becomeregistered voters before the upcoming elections.

“As long as they are eligible to vote 30 days prior to theelection, they can vote,” said Lincoln County Circuit Clerk TerryCase Watkins, mentioning upcoming city elections and a vote on thestate flag.

The first primary for city elections will be May 1, which meanspeople wishing to vote in those elections must be registered byApril 1.

Officials are making plans to accommodate potential voters.

“Our office and the circuit clerk’s will be open from 8 a.m. to7 p.m. March 26 through March 30, and then on March 31 until noonfor people who want to register. That will allow people who work achance to register,” said City Clerk Iris Rudman.

The second primary will be held May 15. People should beregistered by the middle of April to vote in it. Those who wish tovote in the general election, which will be held June 5, should beregistered by noon on May 5. The circuit clerk’s office will beopen from 8 a.m. until noon that day.

Anyone who wants to vote on the state flag issue in the April 17special election should be registered by mid-March. The vote on theflag has already produced an increase in voter registration inLincoln County, according to Watkins.

“It’s above normal for what we do this time of year, and weexpect there will be more getting registered as it gets closer,”said Watkins. “There seems to be a lot of interest in theflag.”

Anyone 18 years or older wishing to register should take apicture ID, preferably a driver’s license, to the circuit clerk’soffice on the second floor of the courthouse.

Those who have moved since the last election should also checkin with the circuit clerk to ensure they are registeredproperly.

“If you move, you must fill out a change of address form,” saidWatkins. “That’s the thing so many people forget, and it’s veryimportant.”

If a person moves to a new precinct and does not fill out thenecessary form, it could cause confusion on election day. It isrequired for the person to fill out a change of address form, evenif they move in the same precinct, added Watkins.

“You may still live in the same precinct but have a differentaddress. It’s important to have that corrected before elections,”she said.