As a Filipino citizen, we have the right to vote unless you are disqualified by the law. Growing up, I had no idea that I can exercise this right as early as 15 years old where I can join
Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. I was a fresh college graduate when I decided to register, my aunt just informed me about the voter’s registration schedule.
I can never forget my first voter’s registration experience. I was falling in line as early as 2AM and was able to submit my form around lunchtime. Imagine the long wait just to submit the application form. Hindi pa siya naprocess agad, I was advised to go back at 7PM and wait for my number to be called. I finished my registration past 10PM.
I was really tired and I almost gave up waiting for my turn. That was my unforgettable experience in Valenzuela so when I moved to Malabon, Laguna and now Cavite, I never dare to fall in line again to transfer my precinct because I’m afraid that I will undergo the same process again.
Voter’s Registration
If you are planning to register, check the following process.
Qualifications to Register
Any Filipino citizen who is not yet a registered voter may apply for registration, provided he/she possesses the following qualifications:
* At least fifteen (15) but not more than thirty (30) years of age and residing in the barangay for at least six (6) months on or before Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
* At least eighteen (18) years of age on or before Barangay, Local and National elections;
* A resident of the Philippines for at least one (1) year and in the place wherein he/ she proposes to vote, for at least six (6) months before Elections;
* Not otherwise disqualified by law.
Voter’s Registration Requirement
Valid ID
Employee's identification card (ID) (with the signature of the employer or authorized representative)
Postal ID
PWD ID
Student's ID or library card, signed by the school authority
Senior Citizen's ID
Driver's license
NBI clearance
Passport
SSS/GSIS ID
Integrated Bar of the Philippine (IBP) ID
License issued by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC)
Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in case of members of ICCs or IPs
If I remember it right, I also brought my Birth Certificate to prove my age and I am qualified to register.
Voter’s Registration Procedures
1. Go to local COMELEC office.
Click here to check the list of COMELEC office.
2. Bring your valid ID to verify your identity and residence.
3.Fill-out the Voter’s Registration Application Form. To save time, you can
download and print the form here.
4. Biometrics
5. You will receive an Acknowledgement Receipt and the staff will ask you to sign on their logbook.
Voter’s Change of Name and Transfer of Precinct
I got married and I no longer live in Valenzuela but because of my voter’s registration experience, I don’t want to go to COMELEC again. So every election, I go to Valenzuela and my husband travels to Pangasinan just to vote. That was our scenario every election, nakakapagod din and magastos so when I found out that there is a special registration in our subdivision for 2 days (9-4PM) hindi na naming pinalagpas.
We were there before 9AM, I just gave my valid ID and precinct name. In my case, change of status and transfer of precinct, the staff gave me
Voter’s Registration Application Form
Application Form for Change of Name
Application Form for Transfer due to Change of Residence.
I think, I also brought my marriage certificate just in case they ask for it. I was really happy because we finished everything in 1 hour. A far cry from my first voter’s registration experience.
Voter’s Reactivation of Registration Record
My husband and I transferred precinct 8 years ago; my husband received his new voter’s ID card in year 2013 but I haven’t received mine. I don’t understand nga kung bakit wala ako, sabay naman kami nagpachange ng precinct. So from the time na nagparegister and transferred ako, never ako nabigyan ng Voter’s ID card.
Since 2013, I always dropped by at the COMELEC office after paying our Real Property tax. Pero every year naman akong sawi not available lagi. My husband told me na hindi na ko mabibigyan ng voter’s ID kasi nga may proposal na magkaroon ng National ID system so last year hindi na ko dumaan ng COMELEC.
Then few weeks ago, my friend informed me na dumaan siya COMELEC and natanung niya yung Voter’s ID ko and sabi daw, deactivated na daw ako. Waah! I was surprised because as far as I know, last May 2019 election lang naman ako hindi nakaboto. Deactivated na agad? I’m thankful that my friend asked for my Voter’s ID availability kung hindi wala ko idea na hindi na pala ko registered voter. Magugulat na lang pala ko sa next election na wala na ko sa listahan.
Anyway, I searched on how to reactivate my voter’s registration and according to COMELEC site “During the next scheduled registration record, a voter with a deactivated registration record may file for the reactivation of his (or her) registration record with the local COMELEC office of the city/municipality where he (or she) is registered.” So I checked the registration schedule
January 20, 2020 to September 30, 2021
Monday to Saturday including holidays except April 9 & 10, 2020 (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday); December 25, 2020, Friday (Christmas Day); April 1 and 2, 2021 Maundy Thursday and Good Friday)
8AM to 5PM
Just this morning, I went to the COMELEC office and I asked them about my concern. The staff informed me na 2 elections ang namissed ko, may Barangay Election pa.
“Failed to vote in two (2) successive preceding regular elections”
To reactivate my voter’s registration, they asked for a
valid ID + photocopy of the valid ID and they asked me to fill out the 3 pages of Voter’s Registration form + Supplementary form since I have PWD ID.
No more biometrics, nag thumb mark lang ko sa form. The staff gave my acknowledgement receipt and write some details on his logbook.
Read: How to Apply for PWD ID
That's it! Wala rin pila so saglit lang ang process. Pwede na ulit ako makaboto.
