By JOHN LENTZ

Staff Writer

If you want to avoid the rush of Election Day at the polls, or if you don't plan to be in the area on Nov. 6, then one-stop absentee voting may be a good option for you to consider.

"There will be four sites open for voting during the one-stop period," said Elections Director Glenda Clendenin. "We utilized three sites in 2008, and in 2010 we were only in Carthage and West End. This year we are adding two new sites, one at the Food Lion shopping center in Whispering Pines and another at the Trident Marketing Center in Aberdeen.

"One-stop absentee voting is an attractive option for several reasons," Clendenin said. "Voters may pick the day that they want to cast their vote, and if the line is too long on that day, they can come back again. Everyone will receive the identical type of ballot that you would be using on election day."

The Moore County Agricultural Building at 707 Pinehurst Ave. in Carthage is considered the main voting site in the county. One-stop absentee voting will take place there from Oct. 18 until Nov. 3.

Within those dates, the hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. On Saturdays prior to Nov. 3, the public may cast their votes from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and on Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At the Old West End School Gym at 134 Old West End School Lane, one-stop absentee voting will occur Oct. 24 through Nov. 3. Hours will be Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

On the two Saturdays that the gym is open for absentee voting, Oct. 27 hours will be 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and on Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Unit 4-A in the Food Lion Shopping Center at 7473 N.C. 22 in Whispering Pines will also offer absentee voting from Oct. 24 through Nov. 3. The hours will be Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m., Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m., and Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. through 3 p.m.

"This unit is to the left of the Food Lion building," Clendenin said. "It is located directly behind Subway and Pizza Inn."

The fourth location for absentee voting will be at the Trident Marketing Center in the Old Kroger Shopping Center at 1930 N. Poplar St., Unit 19 in Aberdeen. Also open from Oct. 24 through Nov. 3, hours will be Monday through Friday from 2-6 p.m., Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Clendenin said that obtaining absentee ballots by mail is also an option.

"We have already issued 1,488 ballots, the majority of which are by mail," Clendenin said. "About 75 of those have gone to persons in the military, and about 50 civilians living overseas have requested ballots as well."

To obtain ballots through the postal service, one must make a written request that includes the voter's name, address, mailing address, date of birth and signature. Voters are responsible for return postage.

Mail your requests to the Moore County Board of Elections, P.O. Box 787, Carthage, NC 28327.

"Remember, the last day to vote early is Saturday, Nov. 3," Clendenin said. "All sites will open at 9 a.m. on that day and will close promptly at 3 p.m."

The last day to request absentee ballots by mail is Oct. 30, with the completed ballots due by Nov. 5 at 5 p.m.

The 2012 General Election will take place on Nov. 6.

Contact John Lentz at (910) 693-2479 or jlentz@ thepilot.com.