Reactivating My Right: My Voter Registration Experience

There are moments in life that feel like a small victory, and getting our voter registration sorted is definitely one of them. Recently, the **voters' registration** for the **2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections** (voters' registration for local village and youth council elections) took place nationwide. The registration period only lasted 10 days. I really wish it had been longer, especially for those who struggle to take a day off work.  The experience was not the same for everyone. Some might take a while or quickly. It really depends on the staff assigned at the area. It took place in different venues around the country, so it might be one of the several factors. Luckily for us, one of the venues was the New Multipurpose Building near our local village. It's just a 5-minute motorcycle ride from our house, so we decided to take the opportunity and went there at 9 AM. At first, you wouldn’t notice that this is the venue. Maybe because a lot of people were not yet aware of this new place. The building has a modern design. The 1st floor was mainly for parking. The security guard told us that the venue for voters’ registration was on the 3rd floor. The elevator’s not yet functional so we took the stairs.  I was surprised when we got to the 3rd floor; the venue was huge and, to my relief, fully air-conditioned. It was a basketball court and multipurpose area. I felt glad that our taxes went to a building that can be used for important purposes like this. I hope it lasts long and stays well-maintained.  The process had a few steps, but thankfully, we came prepared. We had already read the requirements from the COMELEC (Commission on Elections) social media page, so we brought our valid IDs and photocopies.  First, we got our application forms. The staff asked for our IDs, and we carefully filled out the forms. There are many people who take this opportunity to register with different purposes: new registrants who had just turned 18, people transferring their precincts, and others updating their records due to marriage or other reasons. My cousin and I were there for reactivation since we couldn't vote in the last two elections. I was working far from home back then, and my cousin was working abroad, which is a common issue. --- Next, we had a simple interview. They’ll just verify the details you’ve written and encode it in their system. And if you’re for reactivation like us, they’ll cross check it in their system and confirm. I also took the chance to update my personal information, so the staff asked for the photocopy of my Birth Certificate. The reason was when I first registered, I’m still using my middle name that time. Later, I found out that I don’t have a middle name in my Birth Certificate, so I've been working to make all my IDs and records consistent. Good thing I discovered it before I graduate and before I even got my first job, because by the time you reached 18 years old, that’s when you usually start getting valid IDs. That would be very hassle for me, had I discovered it after 😅  The 3rd step was we’re given an application number. The staff will simply write your name to their list, then will write the assigned application number in your form.   The 4th step was where it took us long. We thought the next step was to line up for picture-taking and biometrics, but it turned out the line was only for new registrants 🤦‍♀️ No one told us, so we ended up wasting some time queuing there. We just found out when it’s our turn already, that for reactivations, it’s not necessary anymore 😅   The final step was very easy: we stamped our thumbmarks on the application form. Then, the staff gave us an acknowledgment receipt, which we'll use as proof of registration when we go to vote.   Although it took us about an hour to finish the whole process, we didn't mind the wait at all. Thankfully, the air-conditioned venue kept us comfortable the entire time, and it felt like a small price to pay for such an important task.  Now, we're officially registered voters again 💕 We’re ready to cast our votes in the upcoming elections and participate in the democratic process of our country.  --- _{📷 Cover thumbnail edited with Canva. Text and Photography by @wanderelle 💗} --- Thank you very much for spending your time reading my post 💖 Hope you liked it! ✨ See you again on my next blog 😊 Love lots, ***Elle*** 😘