Shelby County friends and family of active-duty military personnel, military spouses or other overseas citizens can help make sure they take their part in choosing the next U.S. president, according to Shelby County Circuit Clerk Mary H. Harris.

The Associated Press recently pointed out that it was overseas ballots that gave Florida's electoral votes to President Bush in the 2000 election.

Harris suggested residents remind Alabamians serving in the military and those in civilian overseas jobs that they can vote in the November election, but they need to start the paperwork now.

"They should make application now for their general election ballot," she said. "Those in the military can go to their military unit voting assistance officer or commanding officer and request a military absentee application-registration form."

The standard form 76-A can also be downloaded at www.fvap.gov, she said. That Web site also contains more information about absentee voting to make sure ballots are cast correctly so that they will be counted.

All completed applications for absentee ballots must be returned to Harris' offie by U.S. mail or hand-delivered by the voter. No other person may deliver the ballot on a voter's behalf, except in cases of medical emergencies. Law forbids faxing of applications.

"The earlier we receive their applications, the earlier we can send out the ballots," Harris said.

Law requires the probate judge to have final ballots in the clerk's hands by Sept. 23. Harris said she will mail ballots the following business day to those whose completed applications have been received in her office.

Each application for an absentee ballot must be mailed in a seperate envelope to: Mary H. Harris, absentee election manager, P.O. Box 1810, Columbiana, AL 35051.