Why wait until Election Day to cast your ballot?

If you’re a resident of Grand Forks County or a UND student, you could vote as early as Thursday – just about two weeks before Nov. 2. The county offered early voting in 2008, an option I took up so I didn’t have to worry about making it to the polls on the day of the election. And the county has decided to offer early voting again this year, making casting your ballot even easier. Whether you vote by early voting or by going to your regular polling site on Election Day, you’re encouraged to bring identification to verify your residential address. If you’re like me and your driver’s license doesn’t show your current address, simply bring both the license and a copy of a utility bill, cable bill or some other document that shows your current address. It’s as easy as that.

Here’s part of an article reporter Kevin Bonham wrote for Thursday’s Herald:

One election polling site will be open for nine of the next 10 days. It is located on the Sixth Floor of the County Office Building, 151 S. Fourth St., Grand Forks,

The schedule is Thursday through Oct. 29, except Sunday. Weekday hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The schedule Saturday is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Early voting is a convenient way to beat the rush on Election Day,” said Debbie Nelson, county finance and tax director.

The early voting option is provided in addition to the Election Day and absentee voting options traditionally offered by the county. The Grand Forks County Commission approved the opening of an early voting site for those planning to vote in the upcoming general election.

Early voting operates similarly to precinct voting on Election Day, using the same tabulation equipment and an election board running the polling site, according to Nelson.

And if you’re not a resident of Grand Forks County, early voting may still be an option for you.

Republican U.S. House Rick Berg’s campaign website has a handy early voting guide that shows more options for North Dakotans:

Burleigh County

City/County Building

221 N 5th St, Bismarck

10/21/2010-10/23/2010; 10/25/2010-10/30/2010; 11/1/2010

(10/21 12:00-6:00PM; 10/22 & 10/25-10/29 & 11/1 10:00AM-6:00PM; 10/23 & 10/30 9:00AM-1:00PM)

For more information call:  701-222-6718

Cass County

Doublewood Inn

3333 13th Ave S, Fargo

10/25/2010-10/29/2010 (Doublewood INN & Veterans Memorial Arena); 10/26/2010-10/28/2010 (Governor’s Inn)

10:00AM-7:00PM

For more information call:  701-241-5601

Morton County

Morton County Courthouse

210 2nd Ave NW, Mandan

10/21/2010-10/23/2010; 10/25/2010-10/30/2010; 11/1/2010

(10/21 12:00-6:00PM; 10/22 & 10/25-10/29 & 11/1 10:00AM-6:00PM; 10/23 & 10/30 9:00AM-1:00PM)

For more information call:  701-667-3300

Stark County

Stark County Courthouse

51 3rd St E, Dickinson

10/25/2010-11/01/2010 (closed Saturday & Sunday)

8:00AM-5:00PM (MT)

For more information call:  701-456-7630

Stutsman County

Stutsman County Courthouse

511 2nd Ave SE, Jamestown

10/18/2010-11/01/2010 (closed Sunday)

8:00AM-5:00PM ( 10/23 & 10/30 9:00AM-2:00PM)

For more information call:  701-252-9035

Ward County

Ward County Courthouse

315 3rd St SE, Minot

10/25/2010-10/28/2010

10:00AM-6:00PM

For more information call:  701-857-6420