With less than a month before the general election, candidates are readying for a big push before voters go to the polls for state and local races.

Probate Judge Emilie Mims said she believes the Nov. 2 election will attract a fair number of voters.

“I think there will be a lot of interest because of the governor’s campaign, and locally there is a lot of interest in the sheriff’s race,” Mims said. “I think we will have a decent to good turnout.”

Local races on the ballot other than the sheriff’s race between Democratic incumbent Grover Smith and Republican challenger Heath Jackson include the District 4 school board race between Republican Cindy Jackson and Democrat Stephanie Agerton and the District X county commissioner’s race between Democratic incumbent Larry White and Republican challenger Buster Crapps.

In the governor’s race, Republican Robert Bentley faces Democrat Ron Sparks in the race to replace two-term Gov. Bob Riley. Bentley has been leading in the polls.

The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 2 election is 4 p.m. Oct. 22. Mims said there are several places to register: at the Board of Registrars office at the Escambia County Courthouse in Brewton or at the satellite courthouse at 8600 U.S. 31 in Atmore. Voter registration applications are also available at the Department of Public Health, Department of Human Resources and at state driver license examiners’ locations.

They may be mailed or delivered to the Board of Registrars at Post Office Box 557, Brewton, AL 36427.

Applications are also available online at the website of the Alabama Secretary of State. Click on the Elections button on the left side of the homepage and then on Download Forms. Voter Registration Forms (PDF) are included in this list.

Individuals must meet the following requirements to be eligible to vote.

• Must be 18 years of age by the day of the election and a U.S. citizen.

• Must live at the address provided on the application.

• Must not be barred from voting by reason of a felony conviction

• Must not have been adjudged “mentally incompetent” in a court of law.

Voters who would like to update their voting information to reflect a change in name or address should contact the Board of Registrars at 251-867-0243. Additionally, if you had any problems voting in the previous election it is important to resolve those issues now.