The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 6 local elections is Tuesday, Oct. 9.

"Over 6 million Georgians are eligible to register to vote," said Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel in a press release. "To date, however, just over 5.14 million citizens are currently registered."

But Bryan County has seen an increase in voter registration this year, according to Chief Registrar Warren Miller.

"We have seen a slight increase. In the past, it hasn’t been that big of an election. But this year, as the time gets nearer, we’ve definitely noticed more registration," Miller said. He added that the increase has not been overwhelming.

This year, Richmond Hill candidates include Van Hunter, running against Jimmy Hires; and Kevin Artz, Darryl Petermann and Marilyn Hodges, who are all running against Billy Albritton. Pembroke candidates include Tiffany McCoy Walraven, running against Randy Butler; Angela Reed, running against Ernest Hamilton; Douglas Kangeter, running against Elijah Lewis, Jr.; and Judy Cook, Tony Greeson and Johnnie Miller, Sr.

To register here, you must be a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of Georgia and Bryan County, and at least 18 years old by Election Day. You may not register if you are currently serving any sentence imposed by the conviction of a felony or are judicially determined to be mentally incompetent.

A voter registration application can be downloaded from www.sos.georgia.gov/elections. Additionally, the Registrars’ Office, the Pembroke or Richmond Hill libraries, the schools, or any other local government offices will have mail-in registration forms. Voter registration is also offered when renewing or applying for a driver’s license or identification card at any Department of Driver Services office. College students can get voter registration forms from their respective school registrar’s office, or from the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

All residents must have photo identification in order to vote in the Nov. 6 elections, and all future elections. Voters casting ballots in person will be required to show one of the following forms of ID:

- A Georgia driver’s license, even if expired;

- Any valid state/federal government issued photo ID, including a free Voter ID Card issued by the Bryan County Registrar or Georgia Department of Driver Services;

- Valid U.S. passport;

- Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state;

- Valid U.S. military photo ID; or

- Valid tribal photo ID.

Any voters who do not have a form of identification are eligible to receive a free Georgia Voter ID from the Bryan County elections office.

For more information, call the state's voter ID hotline at 1-877-725-9797, or visit www.GaPhotoID.com.