TRENTON, N.J. -Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes is urging County residents to vote any time before Election Day via absentee ballots in order to lessen congestion at the polls in what is predicted to be the heaviest voter turnout for a general election in decades.

"We are asking that people vote early by voting now," Hughes said. "We want November 4 in Mercer County to go as smoothly as possible, and absentee ballots are a quick and convenient way you can avoid the crowd on what we expect will be a very busy Election Day."

The absentee ballots are available at the Mercer County Clerk's Office on the second floor of the County's Criminal Courthouse at 209 South Broad Street in Trenton. They can be filled out in person until 3 p.m. November 3, the day before Election Day. In order to obtain an absentee ballot, a resident must already be registered to vote. The Clerk's Office is open today through Friday, Oct. 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Mercer County Clerk's Office has on-site a registered voter and signature verification system so voters will receive their absentee ballot on the spot. Mercer County Sheriff's Officers will be stationed at the Courthouse during those hours providing extra security.

An absentee ballot that is filled out can be dropped off at the Mercer County Board of Elections Office on the first floor of the Mercer County Administration Building at 640 South Broad Street prior to or on Election Day, Nov. 4. Those who fill out an absentee ballot do not need to vote at the polls on Nov. 4.

Under New Jersey law, registered voters do not need to be out-of-state to vote by absentee ballot and do not need to provide a reason for requesting one.

Aside from voting by absentee ballot, Hughes said voters should try to visit their polling place during off-peak hours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Election Day. Hughes also asked for voters' patience and ensured that election officials will work diligently to keep the lines moving quickly. Polling stations in New Jersey are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 4.

County Executive Hughes also added that County officials have been working cooperatively for weeks to prepare for the expected historic vote. In addition to extra hours and voter assistance at the office of Mercer County Clerk Paula Sollami Covello, Mercer County Sheriff Kevin Larkin has allocated officers for extra security at the Courthouse during the extended hours this week.

Larkin said his officers will also be stationed at the Courthouse, the County Administration Building, and the Board of Elections Office on Election Day, providing security and traffic control.

The Mercer County Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has created windproof metal signs directing voters in English and Spanish where to drop off their absentee ballots. Those signs will be posted outside the County Administration Building on Election Day. The County is also erecting light towers outside the Administration Building to keep the parking lots, crosswalk, and sidewalks well lit for the duration of the evening hours on Nov. 4.

According to the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, statewide more than 575,000 new voters have registered in 2008 and the total number of registered voters in New Jersey as of last week was 5,351,669.

In Mercer County, 218,397 residents have registered to vote, an increase of 23,900 voters since the November 2007 elections.

Hughes reiterated that everyone who is registered to vote should participate in the general election either by voting with an absentee ballot or visiting the polls on Election Day.

"Voting is the most basic and most sacred principle of a democracy. I urge you not to become discouraged by lines at the polls or traffic on Election Day," Hughes said. "Let your voice be heard."

The following are important numbers if residents have questions about the election process:

Mercer County Superintendent of Elections Office  (609) 989-6750
Mercer County Clerk              (609) 989-6465 or (609) 989-6473