Published: October 02, 2008 09:25 am      

Absentee voting under way

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Absentee voting for the Nov. 4 general election is under way at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

All registered voters who will be absent from the county on election day may vote in-person at the Jefferson County clerk’s Election Office located at the courthouse in room 105A until Nov. 3. The office will be closed on Oct. 13 for Columbus Day.

Absentee in person voting will be allowed from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 1 from 8 a.m. until noon.

Anyone who will be absentee voting must bring a government issued ID or voter registration card when voting. According to information from County Clerk Connie Simmons, three parking spots have been reserved on South Ninth Street for absentee voters.

Early voting will be held from Oct. 14 to Oct. 30, and those who participate should bring a government issued ID or voter registration card.

The last day to register to vote or report a change in name or address to be eligible to vote on Nov. 4 is Oct. 7.

Anyone who will be 18 years or older before Nov. 4 can register to vote in the election, including those who turn 18 between Oct. 7 and Nov. 4. Anyone who has moved or had an address or name change also needs to contact the county clerk to be eligible to vote in the upcoming election. Once an address change is received by the county clerk’s office, a new voter registration card will be issued. If a registered voter moves Oct. 8 through Nov. 4, Simmons said they may vote in their former precinct.

Residents who fail to register or make a change of address by Oct. 7 can apply for grace period registration/oting between Oct. 8 and Oct. 21, according to information from Simmons. Applicants must furnish a valid government issued identification which includes a photograph, date of birth and current physical address to the clerk’s office. The applicant’s ballot will then be mailed to the registration address and must be return postmarked by Nov. 3.

Any questions about voter registration, absentee voting, early voting or grace period registration/voting may be directed to the County Clerk’s Office at 244-8020.