Littleton, Colo.- Due to the many state issues and numerous candidate races resulting in an exceptionally lengthy ballot, Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder, Nancy Doty, is encouraging voters to consider voting by absentee mail ballot this year.

"We expect our ballots to be very lengthy, and this could cause long lines at polling sites on Election Day," said Doty. "There are 14 state issues, all the candidate races, and additional questions for municipalities and special districts. Voting by absentee ballot would allow a voter to take his/her time in completing the ballot. Time for voters to cast a ballot at polling sites is limited to 10 minutes by law."

Voters must request an absentee ballot by Oct. 27 in order to receive a mailed ballot and Nov. 3 if they want to pick it up. The form can be obtained from the Clerk's web site at: www.co.arapahoe.co.us/Departments/Clerk or by calling 303-795-4511.

In Arapahoe County, there are three ways voters can cast their ballots. This includes voting by an absentee ballot, which must be requested by the voter, voting at an Early Vote Site, or voting at a designated precinct-polling place. Early Vote will be conducted from October 23 through November 3 at eight convenient locations. Please see the Clerk and Recorder's website for further information regarding times and locations.

To date, 71,000 applications for absentee ballots have been received by the Clerk and Recorder's Office. The 2006 General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 7. The last day to register to vote in the General Election is Oct. 10.

Click here to go to YourHub.com's Arapahoe County Election Central