Advance voting begins next week
By Diana Royal Staff Writer

While absentee ballots for the Feb. 5 Presidential Preference Primary election are available now, next week will be the only week voters may cast an early ballot without explanation.

Advance voting begins Monday, Jan. 28, and will last through Friday, Feb. 1. This will be the only time absentee ballots will be accepted without the voter having to give a reason for doing so.

Ballots for absentee voting are currently available in the Burke County Board of Elections and Registration Office, located in the courthouse, and will be available until 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1.

Democratic candidates include New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel, Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich of Ohio and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. While Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson have withdrawn from the race, their names remain on the ballot.

Republican candidates are former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson.

Duncan Hunter, Alan Keyes and Tom Tancredo have withdrawn from the race.