Early voting begins this Wednesday
Early voting for the local Democratic Primary get under way Wednesday with balloting held exclusively at Warren County Administrative Offices on Locust Street.
According to Election Administrator Donna Yates, early voting for the primary will be offered from April 17 through May 2. Voting hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. until noon on Saturdays. The voting will be held downstairs in the back of the administrative offices.
“There will be numerous signs directing people where to vote,” Yates said. “The easiest way to get there is to come around behind the office building, which will be clearly marked. The room is located on the back edge of the building on the Chancery Street side of the administrative offices.”
Yates said the polling place is handicapped accessible and there is little walking from the parking lot. Any registered voter may exercise his or her option to vote early. Those who do not vote early can vote on primary day, May 7, when all 21 of the county’s voting precincts will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This year’s local primary will serve as a qualifier for several offices. It will also, essentially, serve as the election for at least two offices. The office of County Clerk will be decided as incumbent David Smartt and challenger Jeff McGee are the only two candidates. The 3rd District County Commission seat is also being sought exclusively by four Democrats. The top two vote-getters will be elected in that district. The remainder of the offices up for election will ultimately be decided Aug. 1.
Along with early voting, Yates said qualified persons may now request mail-in ballots. The mail-in ballots are available to on-duty military personnel as well as persons who will be out-of-town for extended periods. The ballots are also available to persons who are physically unable to go to the polls. Any person over 65 may also request a mail-in ballot.
To request a mail-in ballot application, write the election office at the Warren County Administrative Offices. Those making the request should make sure to place their signature somewhere on the letter. Those who qualify will then be sent a ballot. Applications must be obtained and returned no later than May 2.
Yates said her staff is trying to make the early voting option as easy as possible as the county’s new MicroVote machines will be used during early balloting as well as during the regular primary. Anyone with questions concerning early voting may contact the election office at 473-5834.