Still plenty of time for early voting

To the Editor:

Election Day is creeping closer, and so is the end of early voting.

However, there are still plenty of opportunities to cast your ballot in the Election Office, located on the second floor (Room 211) of the Clay County Courthouse.

Beginning today through Friday, our office will feature extended hours of 8 a.m.-noon, and 1-6 p.m., for those wanting to vote early, which has been a hit this election.

At this point in 2008, 1,087 had voted early in the office, but we have surpassed that figure this year.

Through Saturday, a total of 1,190 Clay County residents have cast a ballot early.

In addition, there have been 229 other ballots (mail, e-mail and traveling board) returned, bringing the overall total of early/absentee voters to 1,419 through Saturday, which is 57 more than the total through the same period in 2008.

As in previous elections, we are anticipating and hoping for a large influx of early voters in the last week of early voting. In 2008, the final full week featured a total of 1,105 early voters, more than double the number of ballots accumulated in the first three weeks and adding up to a total of 2,192 early voters in the courthouse.

If we are fortunate enough to see a similar jump in early voters in the final full week this year, remember to schedule enough time because there may be a line as there are two early voting machines in our office.

Along with the extended hours through Friday, we will also be open this Saturday, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Monday, Nov. 5, from 8 a.m.-noon.

Today is also the deadline to submit an application to vote by mail, but residents still have until noon, Nov. 5, to turn in an application to vote through the traveling board.

If you are unable to take advantage of one of the forms of early voting, I encourage everyone to vote at their polling place on Election Day, Nov. 6.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m.-6 p.m., and both early voting in the courthouse and at the polls on Election Day require voters to present a photo ID.

Those with any questions are welcome to contact our office at 448-9023.

Jason Jacobs,

Clay County Election Office