Allen Stephenson, Butler County Absentee Election manager, wants everyone entitled to vote to do so in the general election, including military members on deployment.

Stephenson said anyone serving in the armed forces, including the spouse of a member or someone overseas, should remind their loved one to apply now if they plan to vote in the November General Election.

&uot;Those in the military can go to their commanding officer and request a military absentee application/registration form,&uot; Stephenson said.

&uot;Overseas citizens can go to www.sos.state.al.us and download an absentee general election application.&uot;

He said all completed applications must be returned to the absentee election manager by the U.S. Mail, or be hand delivered by the voter.

&uot;The law does not permit completed applications to be faxed,&uot; Stephenson said.

He also stressed that the earlier the forms are completed the better.

&uot;The earlier we receive the application, the sooner we can mail the voter their ballot that will help ensure that receive the completed absentee ballot back from the voter in time for it to be counted on Election Day,&uot; he said. .&uot;We expect to receive our general election absentee ballots and supplies from the printers on, or about Sept. 23, 2004.

We will mail the ballots the next business day after receiving them, to all the qualified applicants that have applied.&uot;

Stephenson said it is their goal to provide each qualified voter the opportunity to exercise their right to vote, regardless of where they are in the world.

Please mail applications to the following: Allen W. Stephenson, Absentee Election Manager, P.O. Box 236, Greenville 36037.

For more information, call Stephenson at 334-382-3521.