Janice Ruple, Atascosa County Election Administrator, assures all the voters in Atascosa County that their new voter registration certificates will be going out. She just doesn’t know when.

The redistricting has not only delayed the primary election it has also delayed the printing of new voter registration cards. Trying to be fiscally responsible and not have to bear the cost of double mailing, most county officials across the state are playing the waiting game and are holding out for the redistricting to be finalized to avoid having to send updated cards to the voters affected by the change.

She received an email that has been circulating from a concerned voter warning people of their “expired voter registration”. Not so.

The Secretary of State’s office issued the information below which they are providing to the public with respect to the expired voter certificates.

“As a result of ongoing redistricting litigation, the mailing of new voter registration certificates is delayed. The expiration of your old voter registration certificate on 12/31/2011 does not invalidate your voter registration. • If you do not have any changes to your voter registration (i.e, you haven’t moved or changed your name), no action is needed at this time. • If you remain in your county of registration but have changed your residence address or name, you will need to submit your updated information to your county voter registrar and your new voter registration certificate will be mailed to you from your county voter registrar. • If you have changed your residence address to a new county, you will need to submit a new voter registration application no later than the 30th day before Election Day. • If you are not sure where you are registered, you can check online at www.sos.tx.us

Once the court approves interim redistricting maps and counties have the opportunity to finalize precinct lines, the county will issue new voter registration certificates.”

Ruple further explained, if you have not voted in the last two Federal elections, you will need to apply for a new voter registration certificate. Forms are available at their office, 914 N. Main, Jourdanton, TX 78026, online at www.sos.tx.us and at the Pleasanton Express office.