Mobile County Urges Voters to Check Registration Status

Over 37,000 voters found inactive during last mayoral election

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:35pm

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Mobile County officials are urging voters to check their voter registration status ahead of the upcoming May 19 primary election, after more than 37,000 voters were found to have inactive registrations during the last mayoral runoff election in September. Probate Judge Mark Erwin said the issue is often due to the Motor Voter Act, which requires voter rolls to be audited every 4 years, sometimes leading to voters being moved to inactive status without their knowledge.

Why it matters

Ensuring all eligible voters can cast their ballots is crucial for the integrity of elections. The high number of inactive registrations found in the last mayoral election raises concerns about potential disenfranchisement, especially for less engaged voters who may not be aware of their registration status.

The details

During the September 2025 mayoral runoff election in Mobile, over 37,000 voters showed up to the polls only to find their registrations were inactive. Probate Judge Mark Erwin launched an investigation and found the issue was often due to the Motor Voter Act, which requires voter rolls to be audited every 4 years. This audit can sometimes lead to voters being moved to inactive status without their knowledge.

  • Voter registration closes on May 5, 2026, 14 days before the May 19 primary election.
  • The September 2025 mayoral runoff election in Mobile uncovered the issue of 37,000 inactive voter registrations.

The players

Mark Erwin

Mobile County Probate Judge who conducted an investigation into the high number of inactive voter registrations found during the last mayoral election.

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What they’re saying

“Under the Motor Voter Act an audit is done every 4 years, and part of that process may create a situation where a voter's status goes from active to inactive because of that audit.”

— Mark Erwin, Mobile County Probate Judge

“They should not panic or be upset. It's a very simple process. They go to the polling official and do a short update form to reactivate their voter registration, and they get a regular ballot at the poll and they vote a regular ballot on election day. It should take minimal extra time to do that to make sure they're active going forward.”

— Mark Erwin, Mobile County Probate Judge

What’s next

Voter registration closes on May 5, 2026, 14 days before the May 19 primary election. Officials are urging all voters to check their registration status before the deadline.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of maintaining accurate voter rolls and ensuring all eligible voters can easily participate in elections. The high number of inactive registrations found in Mobile raises concerns about potential disenfranchisement, underscoring the need for robust voter education and registration efforts ahead of upcoming elections.