Hundreds already voting

GAINESVILLE - More people are taking advantage of absentee voting for the November 7 General Election in Hall County than did for the July primaries, but some would-be voters, trying to cast ballots at the elections office, are learning they can't - just yet.

Elections Director Anne Phillips Lea says that by about noon Friday, around 2,300 absentee ballots had already been cast - as many people take advantage of being able to vote absentee for no reason at all.

However, Lea said many people are coming into her office to vote, but are having to be turned away. That's because, state law says voting in the elections office can only take place the week before the election - starting October 30.

She emphasizes that you still have plenty of time to mail or fax a request for an absentee ballot and, again, unlike recent years, you do not have to give a reason for wanting to vote absentee. No email requests are allowed because a signature is required on the application. You can use a form, which can be found on the Elections Office Web site, or you can simply put your request in the form of of a letter and mail or fax it. You will need to include your reason, name, address, date of birth and signature. The fax number 770-531-3931.