Absentee voting nears completion

While the majority of voters in this year's municipal elections will cast ballots at their regular polling places on Tuesday, Nov. 8, a few chances remain for absentee voters to vote early.

As of Thursday, a total of 192 Putnam County voters had cast early ballots for the 2011 municipal elections. Of these, 137 have done so at the courthouse, 18 by mail and 37 by traveling board.

Deadlines have passed to apply for mail or traveling board voting, but absentee voting is still available for three days on the second floor of the Putnam County Courthouse.

Today (Friday) is the last full day of absentee voting, with the courthouse open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Additionally, there is an opportunity on Saturday from 8 a.m.-noon at the same location.

Monday is the final day to cast an absentee ballot from 9 a.m. until noon when, by law, absentee voting comes to a close.

Of course voting will be open on municipal election day, Tuesday, Nov. 8 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at polling places in all six Putnam County municipalities.

Because 2011 is a municipal election year, voters from unincorporated areas are not eligible to cast a ballot. Only Bainbridge, Cloverdale, Fillmore, Greencastle, Roachdale and Russellville are hosting elections.

Residents of the eligible areas must also be registered voter and present a government-issued photo ID at the polling place.

A complete list of candidates and polling places will appear in Monday's Banner Graphic. Through a glitch in state law, unopposed candidates will not appear on this year's ballot.