As of Saturday afternoon, 255 votes have been cast in Macon County for the Presidential Primary and County Primary elections.

Early voting began on Wed., Feb. 15, giving registered voters the opportunity to cast ballots for the March 6 Presidential Preference Primary and County Primary. This is the first statewide election in which voters are required to show photo identification prior to casting their ballots.

Macon County Administrator of Elections Barry Doss is encouraging voters to take advantage of early voting if they wish.

“Early voting offers a convenient way for voters to cast their ballots without worrying about making it to the polls on Election Day,” said Doss. “The added flexibility allows individuals to work voting into their already busy schedules.”

Early voting will be conducted at Macon County Election Commission, 111 East Locust Street, Lafayette. You may contact the Macon County Election Commission office for more information regarding early voting hours, location and sample ballots. Early voting ends Tue., Feb. 28.

Voters are reminded that they will need to present a state or federal issued photo ID in order to vote in person, whether during early voting or on Election Day.

“I thank the county election officials and others who have worked diligently to ensure that voters are aware of the new requirement,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “I am confident that their hard work will make this historic election a success.”

Examples of acceptable forms of ID, whether current or expired, include driver licenses, U.S. passports, Department of Safety photo ID cards, U.S. military photo IDs and other state or federal government photo ID cards. College student IDs are not acceptable.

People who forget to bring photo IDs with them to the polls can cast provisional ballots, and then return to their local county election commission office within two business days after the election to present valid photo IDs.

If you do not have an acceptable form of photo ID or would like more information about the new law, call 1-877-850-4959 or visit the Division of Elections web site at www.GoVoteTN.com.