There's a great deal of activity these days among various organizations to register as many voters as possible in advance of the Presidential election in November.  Citizens must be registered 30 days in advance of the election for the address where they are currently living at the time of the election. 

So is this a good reason for agents to contact their past clients and their entire sphere of influence with this timely reminder?  Who better to reach out and offer assistance and information than the agent who sold them their house?  Whether it's a phone call, note, mailer or email, agents can explain that if anyone is unsure as to whether or not they are registered at their current address, there is no penalty to register again just to make certain.

Registration forms are available (in bulk) for free from county or city voter registration offices and can be mailed to clients who can then fill them out and mail them in directly to the appropriate registration office listed on the form.  There is also an online option at www.RockTheVote.com

I am not suggesting that this should be a political effort.  Voting is both a privilege and a responsibility, and agents would be offering a valuable reminder and service in reaching out to their sphere well in advance of the October deadline.    I would also suggest that settlement companies should keep the forms in their offices.  Clients waiting for their closing can fill them out, place them in the envelope provided, and the settlement company can offer the first class postage stamp and the courtesy of mailing it in from the office.  That is a valuable service that should be offered even in years that don't have an election!  Most people just don't have registering to vote on their minds until right before an election rolls around and they sometimes miss the cutoff.

Different states have different rules and regulations that need to be followed.  It's quite easy to find the information and get the forms through your local voter registration office or through either of the two political campaigns.   This is just another way to reach out and remind people that real estate agents are always thinking of the folks in their network and offering assistance as needed.  Participating in local voter registration drives is also a great way to meet other people in your community!  And certainly make sure as you go forth in this effort that you are registered to vote yourself!