The conventions are over and in about seven weeks, American voters will elect a new president. Time to think about how to register and cast your ballot.

In Mecklenburg County, absentee ballots will be mailed starting today, Sept. 15. And early no excuse voting begins next month.

To learn how to obtain an absentee ballot, go to the Mecklenburg Board of Elections website, www.meckboe.org.

The Board of Elections website has all sorts of useful information about voting, including a way to make sure online that you are properly registered.

Early No Excuse Voting begins Oct. 16 at 11 a.m.  Voters may choose from 25 early voting sites around the county, no matter where your home precinct is.  The nearest to Davidson is Cornelius Public Library on Catawba Avenue.  Another close location is the North County Regional Library, on Sam Furr Road in Huntersville.

Early No Excuse Voting continues Monday through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays (Oct. 18 and 25) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and ends on Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  (If the State Elections Board approves Sunday voting on Nov. 19 and 26, hours will be 1-4 p.m.)

Sample Ballots will be available at all early voting sites and all public library branches.

REGISTER, THEN VOTE

You can register and vote on the same day only during Early No Excuse Voting, and regardless of your assigned precinct in Mecklenburg County.   This is known as One Stop Voting, and it’s the best way to get registered.

If you do not choose one-stop voting, then the deadline for registration the old fashioned way is Friday, Oct. 10.

Lines will be long on Election Day, Nov. 4, with limited cover from the elements at most precincts, so consider the Early Voting alternative.

Need to know your correct precinct for Nov. 4?  Go to www.meckboe.org or call 704-336-2133.

Remember that Mecklenburg County uses touch screen voting at polling places.  If you are unfamiliar with this technology, you may ask for help.

Here’s the official calendar for the general election in Mecklenburg County: