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Voters will head to the polls to cast their ballots for president of the United States in the General/Nonpartisan Election on Tuesday, November 4.

The presidential and vice presidential candidates appearing on the ballot are: John McCain/Sarah Palin (R), Barack Obama/Joe Biden (D), and Bob Barr/Wayne A. Root (Libertarian).

Other races on the November ballot include those for United States senator and United States congressman. The senatorial candidates are Saxby Chambliss (R), Jim Martin (D), and Allen Buckley (L). The candidates for 10th District Congressman are Paul Broun (R) and Bobby Saxon (D).

Lincoln County voters will also be electing a state senator and a state representative. The lone candidates for the offices of senator from the 24th District and representative from the 117th District are William S. (Bill) Jackson (R) and Lee Anderson (R), respectively.

The candidates for county offices are:

County Commission Chairman - - Wade Johnson (R) and Walker T. Norman (D).

District 3 Commissioner -- H. Cooper Cliatt (D).

District 4 Commissioner -- Rob Robinson (R) and Allen Walker (D).

Sheriff -- Gerald S. Lawson (R) and Bruce Beggs (D).

Clerk of Superior Court -- Amanda (Mandy) Doss (D).

Probate Court Judge - - Joe F. Banks (R) and Lee D. Moss (D).

Tax Commissioner - - Brenda T. Danner (D).

Coroner - - Paul C. Reviere (D).

Surveyor - - Robert F. Wilkes (D).

The nonpartisan candidates for seats on the Lincoln County Board of Education are:

District 1 - - Denise Freeman and Brian D. Henderson.

District 2 - - Gail G. Remsen.

Likewise appearing on the ballot are three constitutional amendments:

(1) "Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that the General Assembly by general law shall encourage the preservation, conservation, and protection of the state's forests through the special assessment and taxation of certain forest lands and assistance grants to local government?"

(2) "Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize community redevelopment and authorize counties, municipalities, and local boards of education to use tax funds for redevelopment purposes and programs?"

(3) "Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by general law for the creation and comprehensive regulation of infrastructure development districts for the provision of infrastructure as authorized by local governments?"

Sample ballots are available online at www.lincolncountygaelections .com. Electors need to keep in mind that they may cross party lines in the General Election.

Polls will be open statewide from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Those who are physically disabled or 75 years of age or older may vote without waiting in line between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Citizens are required to present identification at their polling place prior to voting. The acceptable forms of identification are:

.. A Georgia driver's license, even if it has expired.

.. Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free voter ID card, issued by the Georgia Department of Driver Services or the Lincoln County Board of Elections and Registration Office.

.. A valid United States passport.

.. A valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the United States Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state.

.. A valid United States military photo ID.

.. A valid tribal photo ID.

Photo identification, for the purpose of voting only, may be obtained at the local board of elections and registration office during regular business hours — even on Election Day. The office, which is located at 160 May Avenue, is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The polling places for Lincoln County residents are as follows:

.. Precinct 1-A — The building beside Midway Volunteer Fire Department on Midway Church Road, off of Highway 79.

.. Precinct 1-B — The Lincolnton Clubhouse on N. Washington Street.

.. Precinct 2 — The Lincoln Center.

.. Precinct 3-A — Faith Temple, located at the intersection of Leathersville Road and the Thomson Highway.

.. Precinct 3-B — Tabernacle Baptist Church on Highway 220 West.

.. Precinct 4-A — Bethany United Methodist Church on Bethany Church Road.

.. Precinct 4-B — The voting booth beside Tankersley's Store on Double Branches Road.

Voters are encouraged to call the elections and voter registration office if they are unsure of their precinct location or voter registration status. Electors, who are currently listed as inactive, are eligible to vote and will be reinstated as active voters.

Citizens should also keep in mind that "advance voting" began at the elections and registration office on Monday, October 27, and will continue through Friday, October 31.

All the elector has to do is fill out an advance voting application and provide the poll official with one of the permitted forms of identification. He will then be issued a ballot to cast right there in the office.

Concerning absentee ballots, the deadline for requesting that an application for an absentee ballot be mailed to one's residence is Friday, October 31.

The applications 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. In addition, electors are asked to include their telephone number on the application.

All absentee ballots must be returned to the elections and registration office by 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 4. An absentee ballot may be hand-delivered by a second party only if the voter is disabled.

For additional information about the election process, contact the elections and registration office at 706-359- 6126.