Thanks to a change in voting laws, Wilkes County voters will be able to cast their historic votes for President and Vice President as early as Monday.

"Early voting for the 2008 General Election begins Monday, September 22," said Wilkes County Registrar Gladys Reese. "Any voters registered in Wilkes County may vote in person, without a reason, in the registrar's office on the third floor of the courthouse. We're open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and we don't close for lunch."

There will be a sample ballot, and voters may vote for both Democrats and Republicans on one ballot.

The office is handicapped-accessible from the building's west entrance. "We have a wheelchair provided by Fievet Pharmacy if you don't have your own," Reese said.

The Georgia legislature passed an "early voting" bill recently that changed Georgia's election law to allow for in-person, no-excuse absentee voting for a full 45 days prior to the election. For this election, that early period begins Monday.

Everyone desiring to vote early will need to provide photo identification, Reese said. "If you do not have a photo ID, the Registrar's Office can issue one when you come in."

The early voting period begins Monday, September 22, and ends Friday, October 24. The advance voting period begins Monday October 27, and ends Friday, October 31.

And of course, the big day is Tuesday, November 4, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voting by mail will begin as soon as ballots are received. "You do not need a reason to vote by mail, or a photo ID," Reese said. "However, if you are over 75 years of age or disabled, and you vote by mail, you will automatically receive a ballot by mail for the December Run-off Election, if you check either E or D and mark the box that you are eligible to receive all absentee ballots as allowed by law."

Those who vote by mail in the November Election using "No Reason" or any reason other than Elderly or Disabled, however, should submit two applications in order to receive a ballot for each election, she said. The dates to be used for the Election Date is November 4, 2008, on one application and December 2, 2008, on a second application.

The new rules can be confusing, Reese said, and she is already fielding questions from voters. "If you have questions or need assistance in completing the application for ballot form, please call 706-678-1850 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m."