Mobile County Officials Urge Voters to Check Registration Status After 37,000 Found Inactive

MOBILE, Ala. (BuzzReport) — With a critical election season approaching, Mobile County officials are sounding the alarm after tens of thousands of voters were unexpectedly flagged as inactive during the city’s last mayoral election.

According to county leaders, more than 37,000 voters who showed up to cast ballots in the September 2025 mayoral runoff discovered their registration status had been marked inactive—prompting confusion, delays, and concern at polling locations across the city. 

Now, ahead of Alabama’s upcoming primary election on May 19, officials are urging residents to verify their voter registration status immediately to avoid similar issues.

A Widespread Issue Comes to Light

Mobile County Probate Judge Mark Erwin said the high number of inactive voters prompted a deeper review following the mayoral election, which resulted in the election of Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis.

While the probate office does not oversee municipal elections, Erwin emphasized that the findings revealed a broader issue that could impact county and state races if not addressed.

The investigation found that many voters were unaware their status had changed prior to arriving at the polls. 

Why Voters Were Marked Inactive

Officials say the primary reason behind the inactive designations stems from routine voter list maintenance required under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, commonly known as the “Motor Voter Act.”

Under federal law, periodic audits are conducted—typically every four years—to maintain accurate voter rolls. During this process, some voters may be moved from “active” to “inactive” status, often due to address discrepancies, lack of recent voting activity, or unreturned verification notices. 

However, many impacted voters said they never realized their status had changed until they attempted to vote.

What Happens If You’re Inactive?

Despite the confusion, officials stress that being labeled inactive does not mean a voter is ineligible.

Erwin explained that voters who discover they are inactive at the polls can complete a simple update form on-site and still cast a regular ballot—without needing to vote provisionally.

“It’s a very simple process,” Erwin noted, emphasizing that the update typically takes only a few minutes and allows voters to proceed normally. 

Deadline Approaching

The urgency comes as the voter registration deadline is May 5, just two weeks before the statewide primary election. Missing that deadline could prevent eligible residents from participating.

Officials are encouraging voters to:

• Check their registration status online
• Update any outdated personal information
• Confirm their polling location ahead of Election Day

Safeguards and Moving Forward

Election officials say multiple safeguards remain in place to protect the integrity of the voting process, including precinct-specific ballots and secure absentee voting measures.

Still, the discovery of 37,000 inactive voters has underscored the importance of voter awareness and preparation—especially in a county where turnout can significantly influence local and statewide outcomes.

As Mobile County prepares for the next round of elections, officials say the message is simple: don’t wait until Election Day—check your status now.