The Macoupin County Clerk’s Office is conducting routine, legally required updates to the county’s voter file to ensure that Macoupin County maintains the most accurate and up-to-date voter registration information.

“Election security is my top priority,” County Clerk Pete Duncan said. “Accurate and current voter rolls are vital to secure elections. The notices my office is mailing this week give voters an opportunity to update their registration or cancel it if necessary.”

The Election Office is mailing notices to voters who, according to information from the U.S. Postal Service, may have had a change of address. These notices allow voters to confirm or update their registration information. If a voter returns the notice with the correct information, their registration will be updated and they will be able to vote without issue in future elections. However, if the notice is returned as undeliverable or not returned at all, the registration will be moved to inactive status.

Inactive voters remain registered until they fail to vote in two consecutive federal elections. Inactive voters must confirm their registration information before being allowed to vote and cannot request a vote-by-mail ballot until their registration is verified. If a voter does not vote or update their registration during two consecutive federal elections, their registration will be cancelled.

Duncan also reminded Macoupin residents that if they receive a notice addressed to a family member who no longer lives at their residence or to a previous occupant, they should not simply discard it. Instead, they should return the notice to the Clerk’s Office as undeliverable or contact the Election Office for instructions on how to cancel that registration.

“Keeping voter lists accurate reduces opportunities for mistakes or potential fraud,” Duncan said. “It also limits confusion and delays at polling places on Election Day. Anyone who receives a notice should either return it or contact our office to make sure the proper steps are taken. This helps assure the public that our election system works well and that results are fair.”

Nearly 1,000 notices—about 3% of all registered voters—have been mailed. Anyone with questions about the notices or the process for cancelling a voter registration should contact the Election Office at (217) 854-3214 ext. 918 or email [email protected].