Students attending Jefferson State Community College in Clanton had the opportunity to register to vote on Thursday.

“We are here today letting the students register if they would like,” said Sherry Cox, member of the Chilton County Board of Registrars. “Students also have the option to update their information if they have changed their address.”

The group had a table set up in the front foyer of the school from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. with a sign encouraging students to register, pamphlets about voting, and forms to fill out to complete the process.

This is the second time the Chilton County Board of Registrars has set up at the Clanton campus, with the first time earlier this spring.

“We have definitely seen an increase this time in students registering when comparing it to when we came in the spring,” Cox said.

Pam Kelley, also a member of the Chilton County Board of Registrars, said students who are 17 are still allowed to register to vote, they simply remain “suspended” in the system until they turn 18.

“We go ahead and put them in the computer system, and have everything ready so when they turn 18, they are ready to go,” Kelley said. “It is important for students to go ahead and get everything taken care of before an election, because in the state of Alabama, you need to be registered to vote before an election day. It is just a good idea to go ahead and get everything taken care of before heading to the polls because it speeds up the process for everyone involved.”

With the next United States presidential election slated for Nov. 8, 2016, Kelley said many students are wanting to make sure they are registered.

“I think with the election coming up students are more interested in making sure they are ready to vote,” Kelley said. “A lot of students don’t know that the process is really quite easy. They can even register online.”

Forms can be filled out from www.alabamavotes.gov and hand delivered or mailed to the Board of Registrar’s office in Chilton County.

On his way to class Thursday morning, Kyle Prather stopped by the table and filled out his voter registration form.

“I just believe it is my duty to vote, and I’m now 18,” Prather said.

The Chilton County Board of Registrars office is located on the bottom floor of the Chilton County Courthouse.

The office is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and is not closed for lunch.

For more information, call (205) 755-3820.