Absentee voting begins today. Marion County Auditor Jake Grandia says that the courthouse will be open to the public, and people can submit their ballots before Election Day.

“It’s the first day that individuals can come and do in-person absentee voting at our office during normal working hours. We’re going to be here 8:00 to 4:30 Monday through Friday, so it’s effectively doing an absentee ballot that you’d do at home here at our office. You still have to fill out the request and sign it, still have to bring identification with you, and you’ll be doing it here and leaving your ballot with us. It’s also a big day because it’s the first day we’ll be mailing out ballots for requests that we’ve received to date. We have a lot. We’re doing our best to get those ready to go, and today is the first day that those will be hitting the mail back to the voters finally.”

In-person absentee voting will take place at the Marion County Courthouse’s temporary location at East Elementary at 614 E. Washington Street in Knoxville. More information about absentee voting in Marion County is available here. An interview with Marion County Auditor Jake Grandia can be heard on today’s Let’s Talk Knoxville.