Election Day may seem like a long ways off but it will be here before we know it and it is important that citizens ensure their registration status is in good standing before heading to the polls.

Lots of misinformation continues to circulate about registration requirements in Ohio and across the nation. E-mail chain letters continue to spread half-truths and misleading information.

Ultimately, the registration deadline is Oct. 9. Anyone who has voted in recent years, presuming they haven’t had a change of address or name change, are already registered.

Much of the misinformation centers on the claim that anyone who hasn’t voted in the past two federal elections will be automatically prevented from casting his or her ballot.

That simply isn’t true.

There are a number of steps that must take place before a citizen is removed from the voter rolls, so to speak. Citizens would have been contacted through the mail for confirmation before having registration revoked.

Even then, the individual could still vote provisionally.

The assertion that missing one presidential election will cause you to be removed is simply not true. But it is certainly important that citizens ensure their voting eligibility is valid well before election day. This can be done at the local board of elections office. New voters can register online at www.sos.state.oh.us.

Our nation was built on the foundation of democracy, which can only exist through an informed and engaged public.