Registration Status: Deactivated

Voter's Info:
Firstname:	KATRINA ROSS
Maternalname:	ANDAL
Lastname:	TAN
Birthdate:	February 04, 1984
Gender:	Female
Civil Status:	Single
Registration Details:
Province:	LAGUNA
City/Municipality:	SANTA ROSA
Barangay:	TAGAPO
Precinct:	0329B
Registration Date:	August 24, 2003
Polling Place:	TAGAPO ELEM. SCHOOL
Registration Status:	Deactivated
Biometrics Info:	Available

from the Comelec Website. check your precinct number here: http://www.comelec.gov.ph/precinctfinder/precinctfinder.aspx




**A few days ago, I learned that I can't vote on May 10. At first, when I checked for my precinct number at the Comelec website, I did not react when I saw "Registration Status: Deactivated" in my profile. When my friends told me about what it means, boy, was I shocked that I cannot experience the first automated election in the country! (That's not the only reason, of course, but that's the primary).


I know that I did not vote in the 2007 elections, twice, but I was not aware I will be "deactivated" because of that. The first elections, I did not vote because there was no one to vote for (well, I was actually in Cebu enjoying my summer vacation with a friend); the second, I don't exactly remember why I did not vote. The Comelec did not notify me to re-register through a letter (maybe it's still in the post office. My friend, who was with me in Cebu, said Comelec sent her one).


So I was thinking of what to do on election day. Maybe I'll go with my sister who, fortunately, is an active voter and see how she shades the circles and run it through the PICOS machine. Maybe I'll take photos of flying voters, or collect different sample ballots from candidates from town councilor up to the president. Maybe I'll just wake up late that day, then sleep again.


Seriously, because of this incident I realized that I value my right to vote (and in 2007, I valued my right not to vote, but apparently the State does not like that), probably because I have some candidates to vote for in this election unlike in the last one, or probably because I firmly believe the very few candidates that I'll be voting for can really do something for the better of the country. And probably because I will not be in Cebu on May 10.