What you need to know to make sure you can vote on Nov. 4

With Virginia now a battleground in a historic presidential race, more than 280,000 voters have registered since January, and nearly nine out of 10 of those are first-time voters.
You can't vote in Virginia if you're not registered, and the deadline for registering to vote in this election is close of business, Monday, Oct. 6.
Here's a checklist of things to do to ensure you can vote on election day.

DETERMINE IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE
To vote in Virginia, you must:
-Be at least 18 years old.
-Be a Virginia resident.
-Be a United States citizen.
-Have your rights restored if you have ever been convicted of a felony. In Virginia, only the governor can restore rights to felons.
-Have had your mental competency declared restored if you've ever been declared mentally incapacitated by a court.
-Not assert a right to vote in any other state.

I'M ELIGIBLE, BUT AM I REGISTERED?
Being registered years ago doesn't mean you still are. If you've changed address since you last voted, you need to reregister at your new address.
Check your registration status:
-Call your local voter registrar office in your city or county which can be found under local government listings in your telephone directory.
-Call the State Board of Elections at (804) 864-8901 or (800) 552-9745 daily between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
-Use the online SBE lookup tool. Go to http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/ and click the red check mark along the left margin of the page above the words "Check voter registration status." You'll need the last four digits of your Social Security number.

I NEED TO REGISTER. HOW DO I DO THAT?
First, fill out a voter registration application. Find them at:
-Your local voter registrar office;
-Online: http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/. It's under "Quick Links" along the page's right margin.
-Some state offices, including Department of Motor Vehicles, social services, welfare, Medicaid or food stamps locations.
-Military recruiting offices.
-Public libraries.
Second, sign it and mail it to your local voter registrar. Make sure the application is postmarked no later than Oct. 6.
Third, check your mail for your new voter registration card. If you don't receive one in a few weeks, call your local registrar to ensure that your application has been processed. If you're a newly
registered voter, you can save time and frustration at the polls on Nov. 4 by bringing the card with you.