Chance to vote early now under way

The 2008 general election starts this morning for people who take advantage of early voting.

Early voting can be done today through Nov. 1 at sites around Northwest North Carolina.

But don't put it off until the last minute, said Rob Coffman, the elections director for Forsyth County.

"If you wait until the last couple days of early voting, you are going to end up waiting," Coffman said. "For people to have a positive voting experience, don't wait until the last day."

In Forsyth County, people can vote today and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the board of elections at 201 N. Chestnut St., in the Forsyth County Government Center.

Next week, the options will expand: Early voting will take place at the board of elections and three satellite sites at library branches in Clemmons and Kernersville, and on Carver School Road.

For the final week of early voting, there will be even more options: In addition to the four sites already mentioned, 10 more will be available. Seven of these additional sites will be in Winston-Salem, and Lewisville, Rural Hall and Walkertown will have one each.

"This is the most sites we have ever operated for early voting," Coffman said.

In 2004, almost 25,000 people in Forsyth County took part in early voting -- about 17 percent of those who voted. In this year's primary election, about 17,000 people voted early -- 21 percent of the ballots cast, Coffman said.

A few things to keep in mind about voting early:

□ People who are not registered to vote can both register to vote and cast their ballots during the early-voting period. Those who do must be at least 18 by Election Day (Nov. 4) and must have lived in the county at least 30 days.

□ People who register and vote during early voting must prove their identity. A North Carolina driver's license is best, but people can also use rent receipts, utility bills, pay stubs or other identification from an official document proving identity. People already registered when they vote early do not have to present identification.

□ People who register to vote during early voting have to vote during the same visit. They can't come back later to vote or vote on Election Day. The registration period for casting a ballot on Election Day has already passed.

Coffman said that people should note the hours of operation for the early-voting sites, as they are open later on some days to make it easier for people who might be at work during the day.

Also, there are two weekend days for early voting in Forsyth County: Sunday, Oct. 26, from 1 to 5 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Several other counties in the region will also have voting on Saturday, Oct. 25.

There is really no excuse to not vote, Coffman said, noting that in addition to early voting, the absentee-ballot procedure remains in place. To get an absentee ballot, a request in writing from the voter or the voter's near relative must be received by the elections office by 5 p.m. Oct. 28, although there are special provisions for illness or disability that can create an exception to the deadline.

Coffman said that absentee ballots are due back at the elections office by 5 p.m. Nov. 3.

People who are disabled can also vote curbside during early voting or on Election Day.

"All of our facilities are handicapped-accessible," Coffman said.

■ Wesley Young can be reached at 727-7369 or at wyoung@wsjournal.com.

Want to vote early?

Here are the sites in Northwest North Carolina that are offering early voting. For more information, go to www.sboe.state.nc.us and click on "One-stop voting."

Alleghany County

• Alleghany County Board of Elections, 348 S. Main St., Lower Level 10, Sparta. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 16 to 31; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1.

Ashe County

• Ashe County Board of Elections, 150 Government Circle, Suite 2100, Jefferson. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday from Oct. 16 to 31; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1.

Davidson County

• Davidson County Board of Elections, 912 Greensboro St., Lexington. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 16 to 31; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Midway Fire Department, 228 Midway School Road, Lexington. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 20 to 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Thomasville Library, 14 Randolph St., Thomasville. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 20 to 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Arcadia Community Building, 1281 Community Road, Lexington. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 22 to 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Davidson County Community College, Mendenhall Building, Room 116, Lexington. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 22 to 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

Davie County

• Davie County Board of Elections, 161 Poplar St., Suite 102, Mocksville. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 16 to 31; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25 and Nov. 1.

• Bermuda Run Town Hall, Council Room, 120 Kinderton Blvd., Suite 100, Bermuda Run. Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 27 to 31; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Jerusalem Volunteer Fire Department, 7185 N.C. 801 S., Mocksville. Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 27 to 31; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• William R. Davie Volunteer Fire Department, 3401 U.S. 601 N., Mocksville. Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 27 to 31; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

Forsyth County

• Forsyth County Board of Elections, 201 N. Chestnut St. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 16 to 31; 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 26; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Carver School Road Library, 4915 Lansing Drive. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday from Oct. 20 to Nov. 1; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday from Oct. 20 to 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Kernersville Senior Center/Library, 130 E. Mountain St., Kernersville. Hours: 10 a.m. to p.m. Monday through Wednesday from Oct. 20 to Nov. 1; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday from Oct. 20 to 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Clemmons Library, 3554 Clemmons Road, Clemmons. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday from Oct. 20 to Nov. 1; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday from Oct. 20 to 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Brown & Douglas Recreation Center, 4725 Indiana Ave. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 27-29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30-31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Harper Hill Commons Shopping Center, 150 Grant Hill Lane. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 27-29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30-31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Lewisville Library, 6490 Shallowford Road, Lewisville. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 to 29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center, 1110 E. Seventh St. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 to 29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Polo Park Recreation Center, 1850 Polo Road. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 27-29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Rural Hall Library, 7125 Broad St., Rural Hall. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 to 29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Sedge Garden Recreation Center, 401 Robbins Road. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 to 29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Southside Library, 3185 Buchanan St. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 to 29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Walkertown Library, 2969 Main St., Walkertown. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 to 29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Winston-Salem State University, Anderson Center, 800 Price St. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 to 29; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

Stokes County

• Stokes County Board of Elections, 1012 Main St., Danbury. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 16 to 31; 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Walnut Cove Fire Department, 527 N. Main St., Walnut Cove. Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 27 to 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• King Public Library, 101 Pilot View Drive, King. Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 27 to 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

Surry County

• Surry County Board of Elections, 118 Hamby Road, Suite 319, Dobson. Hours: 8:10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 16 to 31; 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Mount Airy Public Library, 145 Rockford St., Mount Airy. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 27 to 30; 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 31; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Elkin Rescue Squad Building, 940 N. Bridge St., Elkin. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 27 to 31; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

Watauga County

• Watauga County Board of Elections, 842 W. King St., Suite 6 Boone. Hours: Open normal business hours.

• Boone Town Hall, Council Chambers, 1500 Blowing Rock Road, Boone. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 16 to 1; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove Road, Boone. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 16 to 31; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Appalachian State University, Plemmons Student Union, 221 College St., Room 112, Boone. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 20 to 31; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Mountaineer Ruritan Club, 1161 U.S. 321 N., Sugar Grove. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 27 to 31; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

Wilkes County

• Wilkes County Office Building, County Commissioner's Room, 110 North St., Wilkesboro. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 16 to 31; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.

• Ronda Fire Department, 12164 Elkin Highway, Ronda. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28 to 31; 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 1.

• Millers Creek Fire Department, 5180 Boone Trail, Millers Creek. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28 to 31; 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 1.

• Mulberry-Fairplains Fire Department, 2055 Sparta Road, North Wilkesboro. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28 to 31; 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 1.

Yadkin County

• Yadkin County Board of Elections, 101 S. State St., Courthouse Room 103, Yadkinville. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 16 to 31; 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1.