Compared to nonpresidential election years, the number of absentee voters in Kosciusko County is high this year.

"It is a big difference," said Ann Torpy, chief deputy, voter registration, Kosciusko County clerk's office.

But it's fairly normal compared to other presidential election years, she said.

In the 2002 election, there were 948 total absentee ballots cast in the county. During the last presidential election year, 2000, there were 1,897 total absentee ballots cast in the general election.

For this year's general election, as of Monday, the county sent out 1,123 mail-out absentee ballots and so far received 734 back. Mail-out absentee ballots must be received by the county clerk's office by their 9 a.m. Nov. 2 mail pickup time.

The deadline for absentee mail-out ballots applications was today at midnight for faxed applications and 4:30 p.m. Monday by hand delivery.

Of the 93 military absentee ballots sent out, only 35 were returned as of Monday.

Over-the-counter absentee voting is when a person votes in the clerk's office before Election Day because they will be unable to vote in the county on Election Day. There were 788 OTC absentee voters as of Monday.

Travel boards are for persons who are confined to their homes or nursing homes and need assistance to vote. Kosciusko County has had 45 of them.

Counting travel boards, OTCs, military and mail-out absentee ballots, the county has sent out 2,049 for this year's presidential general election.

Absentee ballots are not opened until Election Day.

Hours for the county clerk's office for absentee voting this week are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday; and 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. It ends at noon Monday. [[In-content Ad]]