More than 800 Brown County residents have already placed their absentee general election ballots this year, more than doubling May's primary turnout.

Absentee voting began Oct. 9 and will continue through noon Monday, Nov. 5. Absentee ballots can be submitted by mail, to a traveling voting board that will come to the homebound, or in person at the County Office Building on Locust Lane in Nashville. Some overseas servicepeople have also been able to submit ballots via e-mail.

Absentee ballots are kept and securely stored until Election Day, when they are counted with the ballots cast that day. This year's general election date is Tuesday, Nov. 6.

For more information on absentee voting, contact the Brown County Clerk's office at 988-5510, or visit Barb Porter and the absentee voting board at the County Office Building. Throughout the absentee voting period, they will be stationed in the first floor meeting room of the County Office Building from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. They will also be open for voting for the next two Saturdays, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The polling place does not close for lunch.

Officials on site have been sworn to an oath that allows them to assist people who may need help filling out their ballots. A voting station is available for those who need to be seated, and special voting equipment is available for those who have vision impairments. 

To see a sample Brown County ballot, click here.

-- Megan O'Bryan, Brown County Democrat