Step-by-step guide to verify voter status, find voting precinct
by Ralph Hernandez / April 27, 2022
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reactivated its Precinct Finder website as the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections nears. It can be used to verify a voter’s status and locate the place where one will vote and their respective precinct number.
To help voters with the process, here is a step-by-step guide to verify your status and find your voting precinct.
1. Log on to the Precinct Finder website
Whether you’re using a computer, mobile phone, or any device that has an internet browser, click on this link to go to Comelec’s Voter Verification and Precinct Finder website. You may also type, or select, copy and paste: voterverifier.comelec.gov.ph/voter_precinct into the address bar. Visitors will be greeted with a disclaimer window about processing personal information. Click on ‘Continue’ to proceed.
2. Select location and enter voter information
Fill out the boxes for First, Middle, and Last Names. Use the button at the right-hand side if you need to put Ñ in the name. Select as well from the respective dropdown menu the Province and City/Municipality where the voter has registered. For Overseas voters, select the Country and Embassy/Consulate for the Place of Registration.
After filling out the necessary details, tick the box that says ‘I’m not a robot’ and answer the prompt, if one comes up. Then press on Search. Another window will appear asking for confirmation. It also includes a data privacy notice assuring users that no personal information is stored in its database. Click ‘Proceed’ to continue.
3. Take note of the polling place, precinct number and status
The status should show as active, unless:
- Failed to vote in two successive preceding regular elections
- Sentenced by final judgment to at least a year of imprisonment
- Lost their Filipino citizenship
- Convicted of rebellion, sedition, violation of the firearm laws, or any crime against national security
- Declared by competent authority to be insane or incompetent
- Ordered by the court to be excluded from the list of voters
Source: Comelec Resolution 9863
Once you’ve confirmed that your voting status is active, write down or take a screenshot of your voting details. This will help improve your voting journey on May 9 as you look for your specific precinct.
4. Get in touch with your local Comelec office, if needed
One former top government official tweeted that the website said it had ‘No Record Found’ for him despite voting regularly. However, the issue was resolved quickly by getting in touch with the local Comelec office and clearing things up.
On the results page, there is a footnote that says ‘If you disagree with the result displayed, you may contact the Local COMELEC Office where you are registered for further validation.’ Here is the link to the directory in case you need to raise a dispute.
To stay updated on elections-related announcements, follow the Comelec page on Facebook or their Twitter account.
Read also
- Your Vote and Your Voice Matters
- Philippine National ID: What, why, and how?
- 2016 Hague Ruling is much more than a “piece of paper”
Image source: Office for Overseas Voting