POLLING PLACES

Early voters must vote in the county in which they are registered. Check your county's board of elections for early voting sites and hours. These sites may be different from your usual voting place.

ABSENTEE VOTING -- IT'S NOT JUST FOR THE ABSENT

Absentee ballots do not require an excuse. That means anyone who doesn't want to face lines can vote by mail. Note that some counties use special return envelopes that will cost 83 cents to mail.

To request an absentee ballot by mail, send a written request including your name, the address on file with the county board of elections, your date of birth and signature. Ballots must be received by the county elections board by 5 p.m. on the day before the election to be counted.

HEAR IT FROM THE SOURCE

Elections officials warn voters not to take someone else's word about voting. If you get a postcard or a phone call saying you can't vote or that you missed your chance to get a ballot, double check.

The best place for answers is your county's board of elections. Be patient. Calls and questions are flooding in. Voters can check their registration status on the state board's Web site: www.sboe.state.nc.us. The state board's phone number is 919-733-7173.

DON'T MISS VOTING FOR PRESIDENT AND JUDGES

Ballots allow voters to fill in a circle for straight-party voting, which automatically picks candidates of that party. But filling in the straight party ticket circle won't register a vote for president, judicial races and nonpartisan contests such as school board or ballot questions such as taxes. And don't forget to check the back of the ballot for more races. You can see a sample of the ballot you would get when you vote by going to the state board's Web site and entering your name in the voter lookup section.

MORE VOTER INFORMATION

To find polling places, early-voting sites and other election information in your Triangle county, see:

* Wake County: www.wakegov.com/elections/

* Durham County: www.co. durham.nc.us/elec

* Orange County: www.co. orange.nc.us/elect/

* Johnston County: www.johnstonnc.com/index.cfm

* Chatham County: www.chathamnc.org/index.aspx (Look under "Departments & Programs.")

Check out our voters guide at newsobserver.com/politics.

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