photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

The Douglas County elections office at 711 W. 23rd St. is pictured Monday, Oct. 31, 2022.

Early voting has officially begun in Douglas County, providing residents with the opportunity to cast their advance ballots ahead of Election Day. Here’s how you can cast your advance ballot.

In addition to presidential and congressional races, on the ballot in Douglas County are races for district attorney, County Commission and state legislative positions. In Lawrence, voters will also consider questions regarding the city’s form of government and a sales tax aimed at addressing affordable housing and homelessness.

There are two ways county residents can cast their advance ballot, by mail or in-person. The last day to request a mail-in ballot is the week before the election. However, County Clerk Jamie Shew doesn’t recommend for county residents to wait until then as it’s taking mail about a week to get across Lawrence.

“If you’re going to go by mail, ask for it early, and then when you do get it, return it early or drop it off at any of our drop-off spots,” Shew said.

Shew said over 13,000 mail-in ballots were sent out on Wednesday, which is the first day the election office was able to send them out. As of 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, nearly 375 people had already voted in person at the election office on 23rd Street.

Voters interested in in-person advance voting must bring their photo ID at the following locations:

* County Election Office, 711 W. 23rd St., Lawrence – weekdays, Oct. 16 to Oct. 25 – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 – 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays, Oct. 26 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Nov. 2 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Last day for advanced voting, Monday, Nov. 4 – 8 a.m. to noon.

* Douglas County Fairgrounds at Flory Meeting Hall, 2120 Harper St., Lawrence – For one week only, from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

* St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5700 W. Sixth St., Lawrence – For one week only, from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

* Lied Center Pavilion, 1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence – From Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., except on Wednesday, which will accept ballots until 5 p.m.

* Eudora City Hall, 4 E. Seventh St., Eudora – Saturdays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* Baldwin City Library, 803 Eighth St., Baldwin City – Saturdays, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Voters can drop their ballot in a marked drop box. The boxes will be locked at 7 p.m. on Election Day and can be found at the following locations:

* Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., Lawrence.

* Douglas County Clerk and Election Office, 711 W. 23rd St., Lawrence.

* Treasurer Satellite-South Lawrence Office, 2000 West 31st St., Lawrence.

* Douglas County Fairgrounds – Flory Meeting Hall, 2120 Harper St., Lawrence.

* Golf Course Superintendents Building, 1421 Research Park Drive, Lawrence.

* Baldwin City Hall, 803 Eighth St., Baldwin City.

* Eudora City Hall, 4 E. Seventh St., Eudora.

* Lecompton City Hall, 327 Elmore St., Lecompton.

County residents can look up their polling location for Election Day, Nov. 5, at the county’s website. Polling places in Douglas County are equipped with private voting booths and materials, as well as assistance items for voters. Staffed by poll workers, these locations offer support throughout the voting process. On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at various sites across the county.