FOR RETURNING VOTERS

Check the online registration verification of COMELEC to check your registration status and assigned precinct.

Deactivated registration status: Your registration status can be deactivated if you didn't vote in the last two elections or you lost your Filipino citizenship. A deactivated status can also be because you were imprisoned for more than one year, declared insane or incompetent by the authorities, or convicted of any crime against national security and of disloyalty to the government.

To reactivate your registration, fill out the Application for Reactivation of Registration Record form (the yellow one). Unless your registration status was deactivated because you did not vote for the past two elections, you also have to attach a certification or order of the court proving your grounds for deactivation no longer exist. Click here to see the yellow form (not for downloading).

If you have none of the disqualifications above and registered before June 17 but can't find your name in the online registration verification, better check with your COMELEC office. It is possible that your name may be missing because of typographical errors.

Typo errors and change of name: It may be a hassle to go back to your assigned COMELEC office but you need to correct typos to vote. To correct those, fill out the blue form or the Application for Change/Correction of Entries, which is the same form you have to fill out if you changed your name because, say, you're a woman who got married. Click here to see the blue form (not for downloading).

Change of residence: Even if you only moved a few blocks away from your previous home, you still need to fill out an Application for Transfer (the green form) if your precinct assignment changed. Click here to see the green form (not for downloading). You can check if your COMELEC record shows your new address after the quarterly Registration Election Board hearing.

No biometrics: Fontanilla had her thumbprints scanned when she registered for the 2007 elections but when she used the registration verification on September 30, she found out her biometrics were "unreadable." If, like Fontanilla, your biometrics info is not available according to the registration verification, go back to your assigned COMELEC office to have your digital signature, photo and fingerprints taken.

OVERSEAS ABSENTEE VOTING

Unfortunately, Pinoys abroad cannot vote anymore since the overseas absentee voting ended on August 31.

FAST FACTS on registering for the 2010 elections:

Deadline for registration: October 31
Operating hours of COMELEC offices: Mondays to Saturdays including holidays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What to bring: A valid ID with your picture and address, photocopies of the front and back of your ID and a pen. No payment is required.

For more inquiries, call COMELEC at 527-9624. You can also visit the official COMELEC website.

Artwork by Warren Espejo.