Orlando, October 4 — Next week around this time the books will be closed for registration in one of the most historical and almost unbelievable General Elections in our country’s history.

Tuesday, October 11, is the registration deadline so if you still need to register or change your name/address, do it!

Many Supervisor of Elections offices have made it so easy for people eligible to vote to do so.

In Orange County, you can download the registration application from the Supervisor of Elections office website, fill it out, sign it and return it to a designated registration site such as the elections office on Kaley Street, as well as local public libraries and drivers license offices.

Here are the main eligibility requirements: You must be a U.S. citizen, a Florida resident and 18 years old at the time of the election (Nov. 8) and never been convicted of a felony (unless your civil rights have been restored).

I hear you asking – why register? It’s so you CAN voice your personal opinion in the General Election, including who should become the next President of the United States, members of Congress (U.S. Senate and House of Representives) and members of the many open state and local public offices.

These people will represent you.

You will also have a say on some key charter amendments like making some seats such as Sheriff, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections, Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller nonpartisan (no party affiliation) with term limits.

Other key issues are being proposed by candidates running for state and national public offices: substantial increase in minimum wage, whether or not to keep the Affordable Care Act (called Obamacare by some), tax reform; national and international security along with the economy and free college  tuition (to some degree).

Historically, come Tuesday, Nov. 8 voters (electoral college) will possibly make history by electing the country’s first woman president – former First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (DEM).

Her competition is real estate mogul and businessman Donald Trump (REP). Although he has never held a political office, Trump won his party’s nomination and has led in some national polls.

So it is crucial that people vote and vote wisely.

The very first step in the process is getting registered to vote where you currently live.

Good idea: Take some folks with you when you register – like your young adult family members or friends.

See list of candidates, amendments and detailed registration information at www.orangecountyvotes.com