Voters mark their ballots during early voting at the Hamilton County Election Commission office on Amnicola Highway in this file photo.Early voting begins today at four sites in Hamilton County, and local officials remind those headed to the polls to remember their photo IDs.
The early voting ballot will be for the March 6 primaries, including the U.S. presidential race, two county special elections -- one for commission District 3 and another for county mayor -- and county property assessor.
"Early voting offers a convenient way for voters to cast their ballots without worrying about making it to the polls on Election Day," said Hamilton County Elections Administrator Charlotte Mullis-Morgan. "The added flexibility allows individuals to work voting into their already busy schedules."
Absentee ballots are still available at the Election Commission and may be requested until Feb. 28.
To get an absentee ballot, call 423-493-5100.
"They have to call and the person who wants it has to request it, and then we send them an application in the mail," Mullis-Morgan said. "We have to send it to where they tell us they are."
This week, Georgia also opened in-person advance ballots for the presidential primary.
EARLY VOTING SITES
* Eastwood Church: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday
* Brainerd Recreation Center: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday
* Northgate Mall: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday
* Hamilton County Election Commission: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday
DATES
* Feb. 15-28, including Saturdays (excludes Sundays, Feb. 19 and 26)
ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF PHOTO ID
* Tennessee driver's license with photo
* U.S. passport
* Department of Safety photo ID
* Photo ID issued by federal or state government
* Employee ID from U.S. Department of Energy
* U.S. military photo ID
* State-issued handgun carry permit with photo
UNACCEPTABLE ID
* College-issued student ID
* Photo not issued by federal or state government
Source: Hamilton County Election Commission