Ten reasons to vote this year ... or not

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Photo by Jeffrey Wright

Texas Legislature Representative Joaquín Castro, currently running for U.S. Congress, rallies students at a recent "Debate Night" event at Northwest Vista Community College.

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• Five (perhaps) legit reasons not to vote

• If you haven't already done so, it's too late to register for the 2012 election. Pity, it was this easy: Go to elections.bexar.org and click on the "Register to Vote" icon on the left-hand side of the page. On the same page, you can also easily verify your registration or locate your precinct and voting booth (which you can also find through the automated (210) 335-VOTE phone system), and download a list of early-voting stations.

• If you have registered at any point in the past, and have not moved since, your registration remains valid (unless you are serving a sentence or parole as a felon, or the courts have declared you unfit to vote). Early voting, permitting you to walk in and vote at your convenience, begins October 22 (and ends November 2); the last day to accept mail applications is October 30; and Election Day is Nov. 6. Unless you obtain an absentee "mail-in" ballot, you will need to show up at your designated booth. Curbside voting is available for the disabled or elderly, but you should contact your precinct beforehand so they expect you.