The number of absentee ballot requests quadrupled over 1997's numbers, Douglas County elections administrators said Tuesday. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 4 p.m. Friday.
Administrators believe that there are three factors causing the higher numbers.
May 15 A change in the law means that anyone can request an absentee ballot without giving a reason. In the past, voters were required to prove that they would be unavailable on the day of the election. More politicians are also encouraging voters to submit an absentee ballot. And election leaders believe that the problems with last year's election in Florida have increased awareness of the absentee system. Election organizers said that it is still too early to give a voter turnout estimate for Tuesday's election.