In less than two months, the Shelby County Primary Election will be held. At the February monthly meeting of the Shel-by County Election Commission, the commissioners certified the candidates that will appear on the May 1st ballot. Shortly after that the official ballot was built, and once ready, it was mailed to all residents serving overseas in the military who requested an absentee ballot.

When that group of absentee ballots was mailed, the election cycle officially began. After that there is a constant whirlwind of activity at the Election Commission, as staff prepares to mail out absentee ballots to other out-of-town residents, and schedule off-site election polling places.

Ballots are taken into every nursing home in the county to make it easy for elderly voters to participate in every election. Teams of election officials take the ballots not only to nursing homes, but to rehabilitation facilities and hospitals. Ballots also are taken to county correctional facilities so citizens convicted of misdemean or crimes, or those awaiting trial can vote.

This is just one of many aspects of election administration that occurs behind the scenes, before Early Voting begins, which brings me to a very important point.
During Early Voting, April 11 - April 26, registered voters may vote at any of 21 locations around the county. Please check our website for locations and times. Lines are typically much shorter during Early Voting, which is a great convenience to voters.