Lots Of Absentee Ballot Interest In Houston County

A large number of people in Houston County are voting with absentee ballots this year and the number is likely to grow substantially between now and Election Day.

Circuit Clerk Carla Woodall, who oversees absentee balloting, said about 1300 people have requested ballots as of Monday.  She credits much of the interest in a series of presidential debates between President Obama and Republican rival Mitt Romney.  "Our door becomes a revolving door following a debate," she said. 

Woodall stated she can't predict how many people will pick up an absentee between now and the November 1 deadline but expects quite a few--perhaps a couple of hundred per day. "I do think, as we get closer to the deadline, the awareness will pick up," said Mrs. Woodall.  "People are checking their calendars and realizing they may be out of town or perhaps they need to pick up a ballot for their college student who is away at school."  

In addition to the November 1 deadline to apply for a ballot, the deadline for submitting one in person is November 5.  The deadline for the clerk's office to receive a ballot by mail is 12:00 noon, November 6, which is Election Day.