For voters planning to cast a ballot in the Nov. 7 election, several important dates are just around the corner.

This Friday, Oct. 27 is the last day to register to vote.

If you need to change your address or register to vote, call The Registrars Office at (205) 669-3913. The Registrars Office is based in the Shelby County Courthouse but deputy registrars are located throughout the county.

A voter registration form may also be downloaded at www.shelbycountyalabama.com.

Voters must be a county resident for 10 days, at least 18 years of age or older, and must never have been convicted of a felony or declared mentally incompetent.

Also, Nov. 2 is the last day to request an absentee ballot for the election.

For more information, contact Shelby County Circuit Clerk Mary Harris&8217;s office at 669-3779 or log on to www.sos.state.al.us/election/absentee.

An absentee ballot returned by mail must be postmarked no later than the day prior to the election.

If hand-delivered, the ballot must be in the clerk&8217;s office by the close of business (but no later than 5 p.m.) on the day prior to the election.

Any qualified voter may vote an absentee ballot if they plan to be out of the county or state on election day, or if they have any physical illness or infirmity which prevents them from going to the polls.

A voter may also vote absentee if he or she works a shift which includes at least 10 hours which coincide with the hours the polls are open, is enrolled as a student at an educational institute located outside the county, any member of or spouse or dependent of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Finally, anyone who has been appointed as an election officer or named as a poll watcher at a polling place other than his or her regular polling place.