This year’s Election Day will fall on the Tuesday after Memorial Day weekend – meaning those who will be out of town and need to vote by absentee ballot must do so by Thurs., May 27.

Circuit Clerk Roger Powell said absentee turnout as been “slow, but occasional” and he predicts that overall turnout could be impacted by the holiday.

“People don’t realize that about this election,” Powell said. “It’s unusual that Election Day falls on the first day of the month and this year, it’s the day after a federal holiday. Our office will be closed on Monday, which eliminates a day of emergency and medical absentee voting. We usually have a few of those on the Monday before (Election Day), but we can’t this time.”

Powell said the holiday will also impact returning ballots by hand for those voting in absentia.

“The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is Thursday,” he said. “The delivery deadline – meaning the absolute deadline to turn it in by hand to this office – is Friday at 5 p.m.,” he said.

Anyone wishing to obtain an absentee ballot application can do so from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday of this week. A photo ID – “driver’s license works best,” Powell said – must be presented.

“Residents can apply for an absentee ballot and vote all in the same trip,” he said. “It takes about 10-15 minutes, and you’re out the door.”