LINDEN – Elections officials in Marengo County say preparations for next Tuesday’s primaries are proceeding as normal, with about 650 applications for absentee ballots having been filed.

Probate Judge Cindy Neilson said she doesn’t believe the Memorial Day holiday, which ends Monday night, will have a dramatic impact on voter turnout.

“I don’t think Memorial Day will effect the turn out. I think the majority of people who are going to be out of town have applied for absentee ballots,” she said.

Neilson said a number of election-law changes would be in effect during this election, and that voters should keep them in mind when they head to the polls.

“The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and identification will be required,” she said.

That change helps working people make it to the polls, said Hale County Circuit Clerk Gay Nell Tinker.

“It helps the working people a lot. If the polls were open only when people were at work, it’s harder for them to vote,” she said.

Voter identification is required so that the voter can prove he or she is voting in the correct precinct. In Marengo County, there are 31 voting places.

Neilson also reminded Marengo County voters that there were no local races on the county’s Republican ballot.

“If they’re interested in voting in a local race, they’ll have to vote in the Democratic primary,” she said.

On the county’s Democratic ballot is the district attorney’s race that pits incumbent Greg Griggers against Barrown Lankster. For county commission District 4, Trezzvant Hopson, Calvin Martin and George Baldwin will square off, and Congressman Artur Davis faces challenger Albert Turner Jr.

Neilson said one other change will affect voters in Gallion.

The polling place at the Gallion Community Center is closed, she said. Voters west of Alabama Highway 69 will vote at Majo’s Community Center and voters east of the highway are assigned to Faunsdale Town Hall.