Thanks to a change in voting laws, Lincoln County voters began casting their historic votes for President and Vice President of the United States on Monday, September 22.

"Early voting in the 2008 General Election began on Monday," said Kelvin Williams, director of elections for Lincoln County. "Any voters registered in Lincoln County may vote in person, without a reason, at The Lincoln Center from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday."

There will be a sample ballot, and voters may vote for both Democrats and Republicans on one ballot.

The Georgia Legislature passed an "early voting" bill recently that changed Georgia's election law to allow for in-person, no-excuse absentee voting for a full 45 days prior to the election. For this election, that early period began Monday.

Anyone desiring to vote early will need to provide photo identification, Williams said. "If you do not have a photo ID, we can issue you one when you come in."

The early voting period will continue through Friday, October 24. The advance voting period then starts on Monday, October 27, and ends Friday, October 31.

And of course, the big day is Tuesday, November 4, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In addition, applications are currently being accepted for absentee ballots. Electors do not need a reason to vote by mail.

Requests for absentee ballot applications may be made by telephone (1-706-359-6126) or by written statement. The written statements may either be faxed to 1-706-359- 7396; mailed to the elections and registration office at P.O. Box 1419, Lincolnton, Georgia, 30817; or delivered to the elections office located in The Lincoln Center at 160 May Avenue.

Elections officials are prohibited from accepting an application for absentee voting by mail that is handdelivered by the individual in whose name the request is being made.

Applications for absentee ballots must contain the address to which the ballot is to be mailed as well as sufficient information, such as a signature or date of birth, to identify the individual as a registered voter. Electors are likewise asked to include their telephone number.

The deadline for requesting that an absentee ballot be mailed to one's residence is Friday, October 31. All absentee ballots should be returned to the elections and registration office by the time polls close on Election Day. An absentee ballot may be handdelivered by a second party only if the voter is disabled.

For more information about the election process, contact the Lincoln County Board of Elections and Registration Office at 706-359-6121.