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Joe P. Asher

Staff Writer

With the Nov. 6 General Election rapidly approaching, voters are planning to head to the polls. For those who have not registered, the deadline is coming soon.

Harlan County Clerk Donna Hoskins advises voters that the last day to register to vote in the upcoming election is Oct. 9.

“Oct. 9 at 4:30 p.m. is the last day to register and be eligible to vote in the Nov. 6 General Election” said Hoskins.

Those registered voters who will be out of the county on election day have the option of casting an absentee ballot, she said.

“We will be opening the absentee (voting) machine on Oct. 15, for persons that will be out of county on election day to vote,” said Hoskins.

Hoskins said absentee voters can cast their vote at the clerk’s office during regular business hours. The clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. for regular business hours. In addition, the office will be open on Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon for absentee voting.

Absentee ballots are available for qualifying voters.

“People can apply for absentee ballots at this time,” she said. “These include those voters who are working out of the county during the hours that our office is open, people who are disabled, or people with an illness,” said Hoskins.

Students and military personnel that will be outside the county on election day may also cast an absentee ballot, she said.

Hoskins said anyone who is unsure if they qualify for an absentee ballot should contact her office for her staff to assist in determining eligibility.

“If anybody feels they do qualify they may call us at 573-3636 and we can tell them if they qualify to vote absentee ballot,” said Hoskins.

According to previous reports, along with the national elections, Harlan voters will be deciding several local offices.

Local races will include all city council seats for Evarts, Benham, Lynch, Loyall, Cumberland and Harlan. The District 5 magistrate position for the Harlan County Fiscal Court will be decided, as will the mayor for the city of Evarts.

Harlan County Schools and Harlan Independent Schools both have some school board positions up for election.

Hoskins said the deadline to file as a write-in candidate is Oct. 26, at 4 p.m.

Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510 or jasher@heartlandpublications.com