GREAT BAY (GIS)—The Census Department, also known as the Department of Civil registry, is asking the public to register all changes of address in a timely manner, in order to beat the late and last minute rush at the Census office in regards to the upcoming election.
If you have moved, you need to change your address or if you need to verify your current address, please pass by the office or call the office for further information, according to the Head of the Census Office, Leona Marlin. Thus the community is asked to come in on a timely manner and provide their correct address, to ensure proper delivery of voting cards.
In this regard, the Post office and the Census Department have been working together in order to be more efficient in delivering the voting cards
According to Ms. Marlin, there is better categorization on how the cards are printed, and in turn, the Post office will able to deliver the voting cards more effectively.
There is a lot of work being done behind the scene in reference to the elections, from preparing the suit cases, to the budget, to the ordering.
At this point in time, there are approximately 19,365 persons registered to vote. The voting registry has not been yet been closed, and there was a backlog for the month of June, waiting for specific registration numbers. So what is being processed are persons with Dutch Nationality, then children, then persons related to the Brooks Tower accord.
After these items are processed in conjunction with the resolution of addresses from the public, and with the pending closing of the registry for the up coming elections, the public is urged to come in early to check on, and or resolve any issues they may have.
This time around as well, Marlin-Romeo said, the period is condensed, so there is much work to be done within a short period of time. Therefore, it is absolutely critical for the community to come in early, and not wait until the last minute.
For further clarifications on the election process, the public can tune in to Channel 15, St. Maarten Cable TV, on Monday July 26th, at 7 pm, where Ms. Marlin will be featured on the Government's Information Bulletin.