By Debbie McGoldrick

WE’VE had a few questions from readers of this column wanting to take part in November’s presidential election, and wondering what’s the best way to go about registering to vote.

Getting registered, all will be happy to know, isn’t nearly as complicated as applying for immigration benefits. And with the movements going on all around the country to entice new voters — Rock the Vote, Declare Yourself, etc., etc. — there’s no good reason at all not to get involved and make your vote count.

Each state has different requirements for voter registration, and time frames for when it needs to be done in order to participate in an upcoming election. For instance, in New York State, all voters must be registered no later than 25 days before an election. In California it’s only 15 days, 29 in Florida, 20 in Massachusetts. And in Maine, persons can register to vote up to an including Election Day, provided they do so in person. (Also, in New York State, a voter must be resident in a particular county for at least 30 days before the election; similar residency rules would apply in other states as well.)

Registration forms can be obtained any number of ways. By far the easiest is the Internet. The New York State website is www.elections.state.ny.us. On it visitors will find answers to all kinds of voter-related questions, including instructions for first time voters, and those who wish to cast absentee ballots.

First requirement for voter registration is, of course, U.S. citizenship. Voters must also be at least 18 years old, and they must also not be in jail, or on parole for a felony conviction.

The form itself is easy to fill out. It asks for the usual biographical information and applicant signature, and that’s pretty much it.

The form cannot be completed via Internet. It can be submitted in person at the applicant’s local board of elections, or else mailed to the board. A person’s county board of elections is also easy to access via Internet or the telephone book. Once an application has been received, the board will be in touch about where to cast the all-important vote.

Again, applications differ from state to state, but they’re all fairly simple. On polling day voters are usually asked to show photo ID.

The above-named voter registration groups can be accessed at www.rockthevote.org, and www.declareyourself.com. Many entertainment-oriented websites also have links on their home pages — Madonna, Dave Matthews, MTV to name but a few. Given the wealth of information out there and ease of registration, there’s absolutely no reason why U.S. citizens should not take part in their elections. So get to it!